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Judge Mary DeGenaro of Poland receives state GOP endorsement for an Ohio Supreme Court seat
YOUNGSTOWN
The Ohio Republican Party State Central Committee unanimously voted to endorse Judges Mary DeGenaro and Craig Baldwin for seats on the state Supreme Court in 2018.
Friday’s endorsements come as Judges DeGenaro and Baldwin seek to fill two open seats on the high court next year. Justices Terrence O’Donnell and William M. O’Neill are not eligible for another term due to age limits.
“I’m honored to have the support of the Ohio Republican Party and am excited to campaign around this beautiful state, meet the wonderful people who live here, and earn their vote in 2018,” said 7th District Court of Appeals Judge DeGenaro of Poland in a statement.
Judge DeGenaro was first elected to the 7th District seat in 2000, and she was re-elected in 2006 and 2012. With the judge running for the Supreme Court next year, her seat on the court of appeals will be open.
Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Judge R. Scott Krichbaum, a Republican, said he intends to run for the open seat next year.
Mahoning County Prosecutor Paul J. Gains, a Democrat, said he’s seriously looking at it, and Youngstown Law Director Martin Hume, also a Democrat, said he’s interested in the position.
The 7th District includes Mahoning, Columbiana, Belmont, Carroll, Harrison, Jefferson, Monroe and Noble counties.
Three of the four judges are from Mahoning County, with the other – Judge Carol Ann Robb – from Columbiana County.
Judge Baldwin of Licking County currently serves on the 5th District Court of Appeals.
“Justices of the Supreme Court of Ohio are the guardians of Ohio’s constitution and rights of Ohio’s citizens,” Ohio Republican Party Chairwoman Jane Timken said in a statement. “Over the next year, Ohio voters will see that Judges DeGenaro and Baldwin are constitutionalists who will protect their interests.”