JUSTICE DONNELLY, JUSTICE STEWART, JUDGE FORBES “WAITING FOR OUR REPUBLICAN-BACKED OPPONENTS” AD
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Almost any time our Republican-backed opponents have to answer tough questions, meet us face to face, or debate the law in public – they are nowhere to be found. Our feelings are starting to get a little hurt! pic.twitter.com/errY3DtVQc
— Justice Michael P. Donnelly (@Donnelly4Ohio) October 9, 2024
Ad Text: Justice Michael P. Donnelly: “I’m trying to make the courts more transparent and data-driven. I’d like to hear what my opponent has to say about that.” Justice Melody J. Stewart: “And I’m willing to put my qualifications and credentials up against my opponent at any time, any day, any week.” Judge Lisa Forbes: “I’m not afraid to talk about the tough issues, debate the law. Why won’t my opponent?”
On-screen text: [0.01]: “We wait for our Republican-backed opponents at candidates’ forums…” [0.07]: “At newspaper endorsements and at bar association interviews…[0:13]: “Just about any place they have to answer questions in public…” [0:19]: “But we’re let down almost every time.”[0:23]: “Justice Michael P. Donnelly” [0:30]: “Justice Melody J. Stewart” [0:37]: “Judge Lisa Forbes” [0:43]: “We will keep waiting…” [0:46]: “But the people of Ohio shouldn’t have to…” [0:49]: “VOTE Donnelly, Stewart, & Forbes For Ohio Supreme Court”
The accompanying X post reads, “Almost any time our Republican-backed opponents have to answer tough questions, meet us face to face, or debate the law in public – they are nowhere to be found. Our feelings are starting to get a little hurt!”
Who's responsible for this ad?
This is a traditional candidate ad paid for by Donnelly for Supreme Court, Stewart for Ohio Supreme Court, and Forbes for Justice committees.
From Jan. 2023 to September 2024, Michael Donnelly’s campaign committee has received over half a million dollars ($752,918.98 including monetary and in-kind donations). In the September 2024 report, his campaign reported having $690,764.10 available to spend in the race. To see contributions to candidates for the Ohio Supreme Court, visit the Ohio Secretary of State’s website. Examine top donations here.
From Jan. 2023 to September 2024, Melody Stewart’s campaign committee has received over half a million dollars ($643,348.73 including monetary and in-kind donations). In the September 2024 report, her campaign reported having $634,450.90 available to spend in the race. To see contributions to candidates for the Ohio Supreme Court, visit the Ohio Secretary of State’s website. Examine top donations here.
From Jan. 2023 to September 2024, Lisa Forbes’ campaign committee has received over half a million dollars ($729,161.55 including monetary and in-kind donations). In the September 2024 report, her campaign reported having $607,498 available to spend in the race. To see contributions to candidates for the Ohio Supreme Court, visit the Ohio Secretary of State’s website. Examine top donations here.
Discussion and Analysis
Analysis by Randy Ludlow, retired senior reporter, Columbus Dispatch
The court’s two Democrat incumbents and the party’s first-time statewide candidate are attempting to make a case that their Republican opponents are afraid of coming out on the losing side of a side-by-side comparison.
Contending the Republicans generally balk at sharing the stage at joint candidate forums and newspaper editorial board and local bar association interviews, the Democrats imply they are more qualified.
Ethically forbidden to talk specifically about issues before the court – or which may come before the court — incumbents and challengers alike are restricted in how much they can actually say to the public.
What is fair game are discussions of overarching judicial philosophies, credentials and their history of rulings from behind the bench.
The Democrats attempt in this spot to say they are superior and transparent while the Republicans are lacking and hiding.