Court justice seeking Ohio governor’s seat recuses himself

COLUMBUS (AP) — An Ohio Supreme Court justice who has announced a Democratic bid for governor has recused himself from all future cases.

The court issued a statement today that says Justice William O’Neill has filed “a blanket notice” of recusal.

Questions about potential ethical conflicts arose after Justice O’Neill formally announced his candidacy Sunday. He said then he would step down from the bench by the Feb. 7 candidate filing deadline.

Today’s statement says Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor will appoint judges from state courts of appeals to sit in place of Justice O’Neill. Justice O’Connor on Sunday urged Justice O’Neill “to use caution” in performing his duties after he announced his bid.

The 70-year-old Justice O’Neill is required to retire as a justice when his term ends in January 2019 because of age limits.