Former immigration judge wins in tight Ohio Supreme Court Republican primary

Former Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Colleen O’Donnell defeated a four-person Republican primary field to earn the nomination for the party, cementing the race against Democratic Ohio Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Brunner in the general election.

Races for the state’s top judicial positions were made explicitly partisan when Republican state lawmakers added party labels to the races starting in 2022. Brunner is currently the only Democratic justice on the 6-1 Republican court.

O’Donnell said she was “humbled” by the election results.

“This is not just a victory for my campaign team, but for all Ohioans who support law and order, public safety, and fair, consistent court decisions,” she said in a statement late Tuesday night.

In addition to working in the Franklin County Courts, O’Donnell also previously worked for the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. She’s also served with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, and most recently as a federal immigration judge in Laredo, Texas.

O’Donnell came out ahead in a tight race with Fifth District Court of Appeals Judge Andrew King. Ninth District Court of Appeals Judge Jill Flagg Lanzinger and Second District Court of Appeals Judge Ron Lewis were also on the ballot Tuesday.

The May primary included party affiliations for judges, after state lawmakers decided to add the labels in 2022.

A win for O’Donnell and for incumbent Republican Justice Dan Hawkins in the Nov. 3 general election would establish a full 7-0 Republican Ohio Supreme Court.

Hawkins faces First District Court of Appeals Judge Marilyn Zayas to defend his seat.

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