Former appellate judge to vie for Supreme Court seat

3/6/2012

Former Geauga County appellate judge William O’Neill appears to have won the Democratic nomination to challenge the Republican incumbent this fall for a seat on the Ohio Supreme Court.

Based on incomplete returns, Judge O’Neill held a commanding lead Tuesday night over Hamilton County Municipal Judge Fanon Rucker for the Democratic nomination.

Judge O’Neill will challenge Ohio Supreme Court Justice Robert Cupp, a Republican and the incumbent, in November.

Judge Rucker, the party’s endorsed candidate, had the advantage of party campaign support and candidate dinners. But Mr. O’Neill successfully bucked party leadership in 2004 and 2006 to win the Democratic nominations for state Supreme Court seats against endorsed opponents.