MEGAN SHANAHAN “TOUGH ON CRIME” AD
View the ad:
Ad Text: The narrator says, “Meet Megan Shanahan, a tough on crime former prosecutor who put hundreds of criminals in prison. Judge Megan Shanahan has over a decade of experience hearing the toughest cases. Shanahan, Judge Megan Shanahan for Supreme Court.”
Who's responsible for this ad?
This is a traditional candidate ad paid for by the Shanahan for Ohio committee. From Jan. 2023 to September 2024, Megan Shanahan’s campaign committee has received over three quarters of a million dollars ($750,013.65) including monetary and in-kind donations). In the September 2024 report, her campaign reported having $547,780.90 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.
Discussion and Analysis
Context provided by Jessica Dickinson, Outreach and Engagement Manager, Ohio Fair Courts Alliance
“Tough on crime” political ad tactics are widely used in judicial races. However, the ad’s attempt at making a connection between Shanahan’s trial court experience and the role of a justice of the Ohio Supreme Court is overstated. The Ohio Supreme Court does not conduct jury trials nor do they put criminals in prison. Having criminal justice experience is not a one-to-one correlation to success on the state’s highest court.