For Immediate Release
February 26, 2004

Contact: Catherine Turcer (614) 263-4111

 Donors treat Supreme Court like a vending machine

 COLUMBUS -- "Contributors treat the Ohio Supreme Court as if it were a vending machine," said Catherine Turcer, legislative director of Ohio Citizen Action. Her remarks came as she released a new study examining contributions to candidates for Chief Justice and Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court from November 2, 2003 to February 11, 2004. Turcer said, "They put in their money and hope to be able to press a button and get the 'goodies' they want. Contributions to the candidates for the Ohio Supreme Court reflect the kind of decisions that that contributors want, rather than an interest in justice."

Three Democratic candidates received more than one-third (1/3) of their contributions from personal injury attorneys from November 2, 2003 to February 11, 2004, according to a study released today Ohio Citizen Action. Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer received 2.4% from personal injury attorneys; Justice O'Donnell received only .14% and Judith Lanzinger .03%. The Democratic candidate for chief justice did not file a contribution report and Justice Paul Pfeiffer received only one contribution of $5,000 from a personal injury law firm.

Insurance industry Political Action Committees (PACs) gave $48,250 to Republican candidates from November 2, 2003 to February 11, 2004. O’Donnell received $17,750 from insurance PACS; Moyer $16,000 and Lanzinger $14,500. These PACs failed to make any contributions to the Democratic candidates or to Pfeiffer whose re-election is not being challenged.

All the candidates for Ohio Supreme Court raised $867,649 from November 2, 2003 to February 11, 2004. Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer raised $239,750 and his challenger C. Ellen Connally failed to file a Pre-Primary report because she generated less than $1,000. Endorsed Democrat W. Scott Gwin raised $161,244; his Democratic challenger Nancy A. Fuerst $134,155 and Republican challenger Judith Lanzinger $153,781. Justice Paul Pfeifer received only contribution equaling $5,000. Appointed incumbent Terrence O’Donnell overshadowed his challenger, William O’Neill ($3,041), by generating $170,678.

Ohio Citizen Action is the state's largest environmental organization, with 100,000 dues-paying members. Non-profit and non-partisan, Ohio Citizen Action was founded in 1975. The Ohio Citizen Action Education Fund has been producing money and politics reports since 1992.
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