For years, critics have pointed to a notable pattern of the members of the Ohio Supreme Court voting overwhelmingly with campaign donors. One justice, Terrence O’Donnell voted 91 percent of the time with her campaign donors. One Justice complained that campaigning in Ohio made him feel like a “hooker,” pandering before special interests with cases before the Court. This is not unique, as noted below.
Accordingly to the New York Times, justices on the Ohio Supreme Court rule over 70 percent of the time with donors. However, few could claim the overwhelming 91 percent record of Justice O’Donnell.
Even O’Donnell’s own copies have complained about the influence of campaign money. Justice Paul E. Pfeifer has complained that he often feels like a “hooker” and that donors often seek to “buy a vote. Whether they succeed or not, it’s hard to say.”
O’Connor’s voting record is particularly under scrutiny because of the sharp difference in sentencing of white collar prisoners. O’Connor is famous for throwing the book at conventional criminals while favoring white collar criminals.
She has been cited for partisan activities as a Republican. In 1996, O’Connor was charged with illegally soliciting employees for a Republican Christmas fund-raiser. She was given a small fine.
O’Connor has received millions from corporate interests, including White Hat Management magnate David Brennan’s group, Informed Citizens of Ohio. Brennan forked over $2 million for pro-O’Connor TV ads.
Recently, Louisiana, West Virginia, and Texas have also looked into similar patterns of campaign contributions and voting records. Click here and here..
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