GOP candidates awash in cash

8/5/2004

COLUMBUS - Republican candidates for three contested Ohio Supreme Court races on Nov. 2 are leaving their Democratic opponents in the dust when it comes to fund-raising.

The two Republican incumbents, Chief Justice Thomas Moyer and Justice Terrence O'Donnell, each have bank account balances approaching $1 million.

For the only open seat, held by retiring Democrat Francis Sweeney, Toledo appellate Judge Judith Lanzinger, the Republican, has nearly $766,000 on hand. Her Democratic opponent, Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Nancy Fuerst, had $263,000, according to the Ohio Secretary of State's office.

Justice O'Donnell faces appellate Judge William O'Neill, who has $20,000 on hand. Retired Cleveland Municipal Judge C. Ellen Connally is challenging Chief Justice Moyer with $42,543.