An Ohio Republican nominee for the Supreme Court is facing significant criticism after stating during their campaign that they were never appointed by the Democratic Party, a claim contradicted by available evidence.
Colleen O’Donnell, a former Franklin County Justice Court Judge, is raising eyebrows with her comments about transparency in what is turning out to be a crowded primary race in May. This election represents a crucial moment for Republicans who are eager to remove the last Democratic judge in the state, Jennifer Brunner, aiming for a 7-0 conservative majority.
“Ohio voters deserve straightforward factual information about candidates for the Ohio Supreme Court,” an observer commented.
Former Ohio Governor John Kasich, a Republican, notably abstained from voting for either candidate in the 2016 presidential election but later supported Democrat Joe Biden in 2020. O’Donnell was appointed to the Franklin County Common Pleas Court in May 2013 but lost her re-election bid to a Democrat in 2022. Most recently, she received an appointment as a U.S. immigration judge in Laredo, Texas, in August 2023.
In a statement about her time in Laredo, O’Donnell mentioned facing serious cases involving drug traffickers and gang members, expressing both pride in protecting her community and frustration with the systemic issues she encountered. “Laws were often not enforced, and that lawlessness continues to echo in the courts,” she explained when announcing her candidacy for the Ohio Supreme Court in October.
O’Donnell discussed her role in Laredo during a January interview, noting the significant distance from her family in Columbus. “I worked tirelessly on asylum cases, adhering to my duty to interpret immigration law fairly and resolve these cases efficiently,” she asserted.
She later indicated that her time in Laredo was brief, citing the challenges of travel and being away from family.
Her campaign site paints her as a “constitutional conservative with vast judicial experience.” It highlights her role as a U.S. immigration judge during a peak time of border crises, alleging she “enforced the law as written” and “never granted asylum,” consistently ordering the removal of undocumented individuals.
In March, the Ohio Conservative PAC accused O’Donnell of misleading voters regarding her immigration judgeship. They released an audio clip from an event where she claimed, “I have never been appointed by Joe Biden or any Democrat in my career,” a statement contradicted by the Justice Department’s announcement of her appointment.
Two attendees at her campaign event confirmed the accuracy of the audio, with one expressing appreciation for meetings allowing direct questions to candidates, emphasizing the importance of verifying information rather than relying on social media.
The Justice Department’s public notice confirmed O’Donnell’s appointment under Biden’s administration, listing her as one of 38 new immigration judges.
The PAC also challenged her assertion about not granting asylum, suggesting that her limited time and training in the role might have prevented her from handling cases to completion. “For months, O’Donnell has misled Republicans about Biden’s nominations to the Justice Department,” a spokesperson said, asserting she was not tough on immigration matters, contrary to her claims.
Immigration Judge Decisions
According to data from the Justice Department, O’Donnell ruled in favor of asylum in about 25% of cases where individuals appeared before her. She overturned previous decisions in two cases and granted deportation relief in several others, allowing individuals to remain in the U.S. through various protections.
Despite the data, O’Donnell’s team maintains she never granted asylum. Her campaign staff retracted any honor to such allegations, emphasizing her judicial accomplishments.
Ohio Republican Reactions
O’Donnell is one of four candidates in the upcoming Republican primary for the Ohio Supreme Court. The primary is slated for May 5, with the winner set to face incumbent Brunner on November 3.
Judge Ronald Lewis remarked that it would be beneficial for O’Donnell to clarify her appointment and decisions as an immigration judge for primary voters. He hinted at the evolving nature of immigration law enforcement under different administrations, suggesting that voters deserve insight into O’Donnell’s actions during her tenure.
Fellow candidate Andrew King emphasized the necessity for a judge with definitive judicial philosophy and history, stating that voters should prefer candidates associated with the Trump administration over those connected to Biden.
Meredith Craig, a Republican state representative, echoed this sentiment, stressing the need for voters to know of O’Donnell’s immigration case decisions, which included transferring a significant number to the interior of the U.S. under the Biden administration’s policies.
Candidates Flagg Lanzinger and the Ohio Republican Party have not yet commented on the situation.
