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Article
published October 26, 2000
Republican
candidates are the biggest beneficiaries, activist group
says
Cincinnati insurance firm leads
donors in court race
BY JIM
PROVANCE
BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU
COLUMBUS - Agents
and employees of a single insurance company have made 303
contributions totaling $59,000 to Republican candidates for the Ohio
Supreme Court, a newly released report revealed
yesterday.
Those associated with Cincinnati Financial Corp.,
a conglomeration of insurance and investment services, sent $33,590
of that to freshman Justice Deborah Cook and $25,820 to Cleveland
appellate Judge Terrence O’Donnell.
According to the consumer
and environmental group Ohio Citizen Action, that makes the
corporation the top contributor to candidates so far in the race for
two seats on the state’s high court.
Justice Cook, an Akron
Republican, is defending her seat against a Democratic challenge
from Hamilton County Municipal Judge Tim Black. Judge O’Donnell, a
Cleveland Republican, is challenging two-term Justice Alice Robie
Resnick, a Toledo Democrat.
The report tracked campaign
contributions reported by the candidates’ campaigns during the
1999-2000 election cycle. It shed no light, however, on how much is
being spent by issue advocacy and independent expenditure
committees.
"The Ohio Supreme Court makes decisions relating
to the liability of businesses, hospitals, insurance companies, and
employers," said Laura Yeomans, project director. "Those interests
are often opposite the interests of victims, patients, consumers,
and employees."
The 10 largest contributors were primarily
political parties, law firms, insurance companies, and
teachers.
Scott Gilliam, spokesman for Cincinnati Financial,
stressed that the corporation, not its political action committee,
made contributions to the candidates.
"Our employees and the
independent agents who sell insurance are professionals who are
involved in a business that routinely involves decisions from the
Ohio Supreme Court," he said. "They are more informed and see the
impact the court has on their jobs everyday, so they choose to be
active."
Among the study’s findings:
Judge O’Donnell was the biggest beneficiary of financial
companies, real estate developers, insurance companies,
manufacturing, and other business interests.
Justice Resnick, a Toledo Democrat, was the biggest beneficiary
of lawyers and lobbyists. She received the most contributions from
individuals, as opposed to political action committees.
Judge Black has benefited the most from labor, especially
teachers’ unions.
Justice Cook has received the most from political parties and
candidates.
Citizen Action aimed its biggest criticism at
Judge O’Donnell, giving his campaign a grade of "D" in meeting
Ohio’s campaign reporting requirements. The candidate named the
employers of his contributors just 67 per cent of the time, while
the other three candidates were lauded for fully reporting at least
92 per cent of the time. Justice Resnick had the highest reporting
rate at 99 per cent.
David Payne, Judge O’Donnell’s campaign
manager, said the incomplete information was an oversight and would
be corrected soon.
"Justice candidates should follow the law
without a grade or being told to do so," Ms. Yeomans said. "If they
are going to uphold the high standards in Ohio law in their
positions, they should demonstrate that by being up front with the
voters and completely disclose their contributions as a
candidate."
Although the contributions to the candidates tell
only part of the story, they do demonstrate show how special
interests have taken sides.
The insurance industry,
manufacturers, and other business interests have started a large
television ad campaign through a non-profit organization called
Citizens for a Strong Ohio to boost Judge O’Donnell’s name
recognition and challenge Justice Resnick’s integrity and
record.
Ohio Senate Democrats yesterday proposed changing
state law to close the loophole that has allowed Strong Ohio, tied
to the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, to raise millions without having to
report the source of its funds. The change would deem any
organization producing an ad that mentions a candidate to be a
political action committee that must disclose its contributions and
backers.
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