Appointed Justice Terrence O’Donnell (R), Judge Judith Lanzinger (R) and incumbent Justice Paul Pfeifer (R) filed petitions on December 29, 2003, for the 2004 Supreme Court race.
Other candidates who have previously submitted their petitions at the Secretary of State’s office are Republican Chief Justice Thomas Moyer and Democratic Judges William O’Neill and Nancy Fuerst.
O’Donnell is seeking to fill the Republican nomination in the March 2 primary to serve out an unexpired term instead of running for a full six-years. O’Donnell was appointed to the court this year by Governor Taft to succeed Justice Deborah Cook following her confirmation as a member of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge O’Neill will seek the Democratic nomination to oppose Justice O’Donnell for the unexpired term of Justice Cook that ends December 31, 2006.
Four seats on the Supreme Court are at stake in the November general election. Republicans Moyer, Pfeifer and O’Donnell hold three of the sears. Democratic Justice Francis Sweeney who cannot seek re-election due to age limits holds the fourth seat.
Judge Lanzinger will seek the open, six-year term of Justice Sweeney. If there are no primary challenges, Judge Lanzinger will face Judge Fuerst in the November election for the term beginning January 2, 2005.
Thus far, no candidates have filed to oppose Justices Moyer or Pfeifer, although veteran Cleveland Municipal Court Judge C. Ellen Connally said earlier this month she would seek the Democratic nomination for chief justice.