(Columbus) - Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine issued the following statement today regarding Eric Brown's announced candidacy for Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court:
"It's doubtful anyone would be talking about Eric Brown as a candidate for the top seat on the state's highest court if his name wasn't Brown. Democrats love to play the name game with Ohio elections by running candidates who sound familiar but are wholly unqualified for the job. Ohioans are smarter than that.
Eric Brown is a mediocre judge with a controversial record in his few short years on the bench. In his last campaign, he managed to get only an average rating out the Columbus Bar Association, and, despite his limited judicial experience, he's been the target of criticism for his courtroom management and questionable rulings. Most Ohioans will seriously question his judgment when they learn that he refused to issue the death penalty to a man convicted of raping and murdering a 17-month-old child.
Justice O'Connor brings to this race six years of experience on the Ohio Supreme Court, and she's been praised and endorsed for that job by opinion leaders across the state. She carried all 88 counties in her 2008 re-election campaign, a remarkable accomplishment for any elected official and a strong indication of the support she has among Ohio voters."
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For the Record
CBA Ranked Him Only Average.
Brown was only rated "acceptable" by the Columbus Bar Association's 2008 judicial screening committee. [Columbus Dispatch, 11/2/08]
Lack of Judicial Experience.
Brown served for three years as a Common Pleas Judge before running for the Probate Court. In their "strong" endorsement of Brown's probate court opponent, The Columbus Dispatch said, Brown's resume "offers just three years as a Common Pleas judge." [Columbus Dispatch, 9/21/08]
Sparing the Life of a Child Murderer and Rapist.
In 2007, Judge Brown sat on a three judge panel to decide the sentencing of convicted child murderer and rapist, John M. White. White was found guilty of raping and aggravated murder of a 17-month-old. Brown sided with Judge Connor for life in prison for White. The alterative decision, made by Judge Horton, was for the death penalty. [Columbus Dispatch, 12/8/07]
Employing 2006 Ohio House Candidate and Unlicensed Attorney, Beverly Campbell, to Assist with Legal Work in His Courtroom.
In 2006, Judge Brown had a complaint filed against him for employing Beverly Campbell, a Democratic candidate for the Ohio House of Representatives. Campbell had her law license revoked in two states, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She also was not a licensed attorney in Ohio. [Columbus Dispatch, 10/10/06]
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