2 Dem judges seek seat on Ohio Supreme Court

COLUMBUS (AP) — Two experienced judges from far-flung corners of the state are facing off in the Democratic primary for a chance at unseating Ohio Supreme Court Justice Robert Cupp this fall.

Former appeals court judge William O’Neill, of Chagrin Falls, faces Fanon Rucker, a municipal court judge in Hamilton County. Justice Cupp is a Republican seeking his second 6-year term.

Judge O’Neill has run unsuccessfully for office four times since 2004, twice for high court and twice for Congress. Secretary of State Jon Husted initially found his petitions seven signatures short. The judge sued and Husted reconsidered.

Judge Rucker’s father is an Indiana Supreme Court justice. Then-Gov. Ted Strickland first appointed the son to the bench in 2007. A native of Gary, Ind., he also teaches black history law at the University of Cincinnati.