05/05/02

Follow the pone

Ohio Citizen Action knows where candidates for the Ohio Supreme Court are getting their corn pone.

The citizen watchdogs released a report of top contributors to the four candidates based on campaign finance reports filed recently. Incumbent Republican Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton got much of her $255,000 from the Hamilton County Republican Judicial Campaign and contributors from Procter & Gamble and insurance and financial companies.

Trial lawyers ponied up the largest part of the $187,000 given to her Democratic opponent, Judge Janet Burnside, of Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. They were also generous in helping the other Democrat in the race, Judge Tim Black of Hamilton County Municipal Court, gather $545,000.

Black's opponent, Republican Lt. Gov. Maureen O'Connor, took in nearly $129,000, thanks to those connected to finance, real estate and insurance companies. Contributors with a vested interest know whom to support, said Catherine Turcer, Citizen Action's campaign reform director.

"Mark Twain had it right in 'The Tragedy of Puddin' Head Wilson': 'You tell me where a man gets his corn pone and I will tell you what his opinion is,' " Turcer said.

Inside Politics is a weekly column of news gathering by Plain Dealer reporters who cover public affairs.