Jennifer Brunner | A+

Chief Justice Candidate

Justice Brunner has significant experience as a legal practitioner, elected official, and judge. She is presently serving her first term as a Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court. 

Brunner was elected Ohio’s first female Secretary of State in 2006, holding the position for four years. She has served as a judge at the Common Pleas level and the Appellate level combined for more than a decade. In the years between serving in her various elected positions, Justice Brunner has practiced law in Ohio for 17 years.  

Justice Brunner is a staunch and vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, racial equity, and civil rights. At every stage of Brunner’s elected career, she has proven to be proactive in protecting the civil rights of every Ohioan. As just one example, as a Franklin County Common Pleas Judge, Brunner built an alternative court docket for people suffering addiction in 2004, long before alternatives to incarceration became a “high profile” policy reform. 

Brunner proudly touts her strong, lengthy pro-equality record, including listing the Ohio Supreme Court’s role in providing a streamlined form for implementing gender marker changes for transgender Ohioans as a key accomplishment during her time on the bench. She has physically shown up for the LGBTQ+ community, appearing at Pride events and educating the LGBTQ+ community about the importance of the Supreme Court in Ohio. She served as the first ally Board Chair of The Legacy Fund of the Columbus Foundation, which is an endowment fund created by and for the central Ohio LGBTQ+ community.

As a current Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court, Brunner sided in favor of the bipartisan holding that Ohio’s redistricting maps were illegal gerrymanders, calling one of the maps “absurd on its face.” She named the ethical dilemmas that can arise in electoral politics, including in the redistricting situation: “The real takeaway from this four-year plan is that the Ohio Redistricting Commission should not be composed of people for whom the temptation may be too great to place political self-preservation above selfless service, regardless of party affiliation. What is needed in Ohio is an independent redistricting commission.” 

Justice Brunner appears ready, willing, and able to take on the important leadership role of Chief Justice immediately. Tenants of her platform include continuing a Court focus on racial justice, bail reform, and accesss for transgender individuals to obtain birth certificates matching their gender identity. Brunner is also a vocal supporters of safe and legal access to abortion, and the right of “each individual’s right to make informed, independent decisions about sex, health, and family planning.”

She has promised to create a permanent Commission on Fairness and Equality in Ohio’s Courts; establish an Ohio Task Force on Environmental Justice; and expand support for a Criminal Sentencing Database. She has stated that she is “committed to examining our criminal justice system to identify and root out systemic racism so that people are treated fairly and equally in the state’s criminal justice system.”

Sharon Kennedy | F

Chief Justice Candidate

Justice Sharon Kennedy is presently serving in her second term as a Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court. She began her career within the justice system as a police officer for Hamilton Police Department. She later practiced law as a family law attorney before serving as a judge on the Butler County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division for more than a decade.

Justice Kennedy has been vocal in her opposition to the issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community, including indicating—many times throughout her career—that she does not support nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ Ohioans. She is staunch in her opposition to the right to abortion access, publicly indicating that the U.S. constitution does not include a right to abortion, and that an unborn child is “biologically human at every stage of his or her biological development, beginning at fertilization.” 

Justice Kennedy’s handling of Ohio’s redistricting lawsuits is particularly troublesome. Not only would Kennedy have found the very skewed maps to be constitutional, she accused the majority of having “commandeered the redistricting process” for holding the Ohio Redistricting Commission to the standards explicitly outlined in Ohio’s constitution that was passed into law with overwhelming support from Ohio voters. She went as far as to argue that there was “no showing that partisan favoritism was the commission’s primary motivation.” 

Her strong opinions in support of the Ohio Redistricting Commission’s gerrymandered maps and against abortion have also raised ethical questions at times over the course of Justice Kennedy’s tenure. For example, while the open redistricting cases were pending before Justice Kennedy and her colleagues on the Supreme Court of Ohio, she spoke in support of her candidacy for Chief Justice at a Republican Party event in Marion County indicating that the redistricting cases in her courtroom were “the fight of our life.” Similarly, in 2017, Kennedy gave a keynote speech at the Greater Toledo Right to Life’s legislative briefing breakfast soon after the Court agreed to review a 2014 case involving Toledo’s last surgical abortion center. She did not, however, recuse herself from the two abortion-related cases appearing before the Ohio Supreme Court that year, including the case from Toledo. 

Justice Kennedy’s campaign website does not present a platform outlining her goals as Ohio’s next Chief Justice—a position that includes significant opportunity to shape Ohio’s judicial priorities, initiatives, and task forces. In her current Justice role, she has been vocal in her support of veterans, focusing energy on programs that educate sheriffs, judges, magistrates, and probation and parole officers about the treatment resources available to justice-involved veterans.

Justice Kennedy is presently endorsed by organizations that oppose LGBTQ+ equality and healthcare freedom, including Ohio Value Voters and Ohio Right to Life, among many others. She is also endorsed by the Buckeye Firearms Association and the Ohio Bail Agents Association.

As Chief Justice, Kennedy would have tremendous power in setting the agenda for the Ohio Supreme Court and shaping Ohio’s entire legal landscape. She has ignored important ethical considerations regarding the appearance of neutrality and has explicitly expressed opposition to LGBTQ+ equality and bodily autonomy, which raise serious concerns about how she would address LGBTQ+ rights in Ohio.

Fischer | C-

Seat 2 Candidate

Justice Fischer has served as an Ohio Supreme Court justice since 2017. He has stated that his judicial philosophy is to enforce the law as written, and he appears to care deeply about judicial ethics. Fischer previously served as the President of the Ohio State Bar Association and has worked closely with the Association on a variety of committees and task forces. As a private attorney, he served two terms on the Ohio Supreme Court’s Commission on Professionalism, including serving as vice chair. He also chaired the Cincinnati Bar Association’s ethics and professional responsibility committee.

Justice Fisher’s record on LGBTQ+ equality is limited. He has not vocally championed support for LGBTQ+ equality, nor has he made statements suggesting that he opposes LGBTQ+ equality. In an interview in 2016, he indicated that he would officiate a marriage for one of his gay friends if they asked him to do so.

Justice Fischer’s dissents in the Ohio Supreme Court’s redistricting cases make clear that his judicial ideology leans towards giving state legislatures nearly unlimited authority and jurisdiction of Ohio’s laws. He went so far as to accuse the majority that rejected the maps as illegal gerrymanders of  “exercising authority not granted to this court by the Ohio Constitution.” 

Justice Fisher appears to oppose the safe and legal access to abortion, publicly indicating that the U.S. constitution does not include a right to abortion, and that an unborn child is “biologically human at every stage of his or her biological development, beginning at fertilization.” Justice Fisher is endorsed by organizations opposed to abortion as well as the Buckeye Firearms Association.

Although Justice Fischer clearly values judicial ethics, his public stances against foundational civil rights, like voting and bodily autonomy, are worrisome. They raise concerns about how Justice Fisher would approach civil rights issues and issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community that may come before the Court.

Jamison | B+

Seat 2 Candidate

Judge Terri Jamison has served as a judge on the 10th District Court of Appeals since 2020. Previously, she served as a judge on the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. Jamison began her career as an underground coal miner before moving to Columbus and eventually running her own insurance agency for 16 years. Upon entering the legal field, Jamison practiced law as a Franklin County Public Defender, as well as a solo practitioner before being elected to judge. 

Judge Jamison has focused her energy as a judge on expanding alternatives to the detention of juveniles, as well as expanding access to justice, diversity, and inclusion within the judicial system. In speaking to the Federalist Society she once stated, “I look at the law from a very different perspective because I understand that the role of a judge is to give equal protection under the law. It is to give us the right to have equal rights in these United States.” 

Jamison grew up in the coal mining country of Welch, WV and began her education in segregated schools. The Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education, which integrated public schools segregated by race, personally impacted her education.

Judge Jamison vocally supports many social justice initiatives, including affirmative action, police reform, raising the minimum wage, and gun control. That said, Judge Jamison has not vocally addressed issues facing the LGBTQ+ community, nor has she expressed opposition to the LGBTQ+ community. 

Jamison has indicated support for the development and implementation of a Criminal Sentencing Database, a project supported by current Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor that is designed to assess and ensure fair and impartial treatment for all. Judge Jamison agrees that the 2022 Ohio legislative maps were illegal gerrymanders, and she is endorsed by organizations supporting the safe and legal access to abortion.

On the whole, Judge Jamison appears likely to be fair, impartial, and ethical in cases before her involving LGBTQ+ litigants or issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community.

Pat Dewine | F

Seat 1 Candidate 

Justice Pat DeWine has served on the Ohio Supreme Court since 2017 and previously served as an elected judge at the common pleas and appellate levels. Prior to becoming a judge, he was a practicing attorney for a large law firm for 13 years. 

Justice Pat DeWine has raised considerable ethics concerns during his tenure on the Ohio Supreme Court. Notably, he failed to recuse himself from the 7 redistricting cases that have come before the Supreme Court of Ohio even though his father, Governor Mike DeWine, was a named party. Justice DeWine’s father was directly before him in those cases as a member of the Redistricting Commission and was even subject to motions for contempt for violating the Court’s directives. DeWine has sided with his father and the rest of the Redistricting Commission in every related case that was brought before the Court. Justice DeWine proudly lists his dissent in these cases on his website under “Representative Decisions.”

With regard to LGBTQ+ equality, DeWine has not publicly indicated support for Ohio’s LGBTQ+ community and has instead suggested that laws protecting LGBTQ+ against discrimination are invalid. In 2016, DeWine indicated that he would likely find nondiscrimination laws that protect LGBTQ+ individuals in housing, employment, and public accommodations unconstitutional on the basis that they infringe on free speech and association rights. This is a significant and troubling signal, as Ohio presently has more than 35 local nondiscrimination protections in the absence of a uniform, statewide nondiscrimination law.

Justice DeWine has vocally opposed the safe and legal access to abortion, publicly indicating that the U.S. constitution does not include a right to abortion and that an unborn child is “biologically human at every stage of his or her biological development, beginning at fertilization.” Justice DeWine is endorsed by organizations opposed to abortion and the Buckeye Firearms Association.

Justice DeWine has ignored important ethical considerations regarding the appearance of neutrality and has explicitly expressed opposition to LGBTQ+ equality and bodily autonomy, which raises serious concerns about how he would address LGBTQ+ rights in Ohio.

Marilyn Zayas | A

Seat 1 Candidate

Judge Marilyn Zayas is the first Latina elected to an Ohio Court of Appeals. She has served on Ohio’s First District Court of Appeals since 2016. Prior to becoming a judge, Zayas practiced law for nearly twenty years and has practiced in a variety of different settings ranging from large firm practice to solo practice, and covering a wide range of practice areas. While serving on the First District, Zayas was invited by Chief Justice O’Connor to sit on the Ohio Supreme Court by designation to hear a case when a fellow Justice recused themself from a case before the Court. 

Judge Zayas has focused energy as a judge on inspiring the next generation of students to understand the court system and consider a path in law through her “Educating Tomorrow’s Leaders” program. She also has focused on victim advocacy efforts, partnering with law enforcement agencies in order to support best practices such that foreign born victims feel safe and empowered to report crimes and interact with the justice system. 

Zayas is supportive of the LGBTQ+ community and highlighted young leaders in the Ohio LGBTQ+ community for pride month. Zayas has indicated support for bail reform, the development and implementation of a Criminal Sentencing Database, a project supported by current Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor that is designed to assess and ensure fair and impartial treatment for all, agrees that the 2022 Ohio legislative maps were illegal gerrymanders, and is endorsed by organizations supporting the safe and legal access to abortion.

Judge Zayas is adamant about overcoming systemic biases in our criminal justice system. As an Ohio Supreme Court Justice, she will likely be a reliable voice in favor of civil rights and ensuring our legal system is fair and equitable.

Tim Ryan | B+

Tim Ryan has been a Youngstown-area Congressman since 2003 and is a cosponsor of the Equality Act, which would explicitly codify protecting LGBTQ+ Americans against discrimination.  He promises to support judicial candidates who believe in equal protections for LGBTQ+ people and to protect LGBTQ+ people in the military. Ryan is best known for being a strong advocate of workers’ rights.

Ryan made a few unfortunate campaign choices, including alienating Asian Americans in political ads, undermining racial justice advocates’ police reform efforts, and making a false equivalency between people fighting for civil rights and the people attacking them. 

Campaign tactics aside, Ryan has a strong voting record on civil rights issues. We hope that as a Senator, Ryan will be proactive in protecting the legal and lived equality for all, and will take the priorities of marginalized communities seriously.

JD Vance | F

JD Vance has never held public office prior to running for this U.S. Senate seat. Vance’s resume includes working at a corporate law firm, then running billionaire Peter Theil’s venture capital firm in San Francisco (note, Theil spent more than $15 million in support of Vance’s candidacy before June 2022).  Vance is most well known for writing “Hillbilly Elegy”, a book about his upbringing in a Cincinnati suburb and his grandparents’ hometown in Appalachian Kentucky. 

Vance moved back to Ohio in 2017, and his public image evolved significantly. He moved away from his initial, measured response to Trump’s candidacy and has instead become Trump’s champion and endorsed candidate. He has fully embraced a fringe, rightwing, anti-LGBTQ+ ideology. 

Vance’s campaign has been filled with dangerous rhetoric equating LGBTQ+ people to “groomers”, and arguing that any discussion of systemic racism, accurate and honest history or racial equity should be banned. 

We hope that as a Senator, Vance would appreciate the gravity of that position of power and begin to take cues from Ohioans—rather than billionaires outside of our state—and work to protect all Ohioans against bigotry and discrimination.

Keith Faber | C-

Keith Faber has served as Ohio’s Auditor since 2019. As Auditor, Faber is a member of the 7-person Ohio Redistricting Commission, a body that is crucial to preserving democracy in Ohio. 

We appreciate that Faber did not join the rest of his party in voting to implement the unconstitutional maps every time, and that he stood alone among his colleagues in doing so. However, his reasoning for voting against (some of) the maps was that they were gerrymandered against Republicans—an assertion that lacks merit and appears to be grounded in partisanship politics instead of voter interests.

Faber has been consistently opposed to voter protection measures, including opposing the ballot initiatives to reform the redistricting process that created the very Ohio Redistricting Commission he now serves upon. 

Prior to serving as Ohio Auditor, Faber was the Ohio State Senate President and a State Representative. During his time as Senate President, Faber sponsored and supported several anti-choice bills.  His record in terms of LGBTQ+ support is unclear, in that he has not vocally supported LGBTQ+ equality, nor has he vocally opposed it. Faber’s past Equality Ohio scorecard grades during his time at the statehouse illustrate significant room for growth for supporting LGBTQ+ equality.

Because the intersection between LGBTQ+ representation and the State Auditor is largely the Auditor’s role on the Ohio Redistricting Commission, our analysis focused most heavily on the candidate’s commitment to protecting democracy.

We hope that, as Auditor, Keith Faber will take his responsibility to Ohio voters seriously and engage in meaningful, nonpartisan negotiations during the next round of mapmaking. We also hope that he can express clear support for the LGBTQ+ Ohioans, whom he represents.

Taylor Sappington | A

Taylor Sappington has served as the Nelsonville City Auditor since 2019. He  previously served as a Nelsonville City Councilperson and boasts a strong record on transparency and government accountability.

Sappington is the first openly gay statewide candidate for Ohio office and has been vocal about making LGBTQ+ equality a priority.

Sappington has been closely following the redistricting process in Ohio and has been consistently critical of the Ohio Redistricting Commission’s performance, specifically citing a lack of bipartisanship and transparency.

The State Auditor’s membership on the Ohio Redistricting Commission guarantees that Ohio’s next Auditor will play a key role in voting on the next round of district maps.

Because the intersection between LGBTQ+ representation and the State Auditor is largely the Auditor’s role on the Ohio Redistricting Commission, our analysis focused most heavily on the candidate’s commitment to protecting democracy.

We hope that as Ohio Auditor, Sappington will continue to fight for fair maps, transparency in the redistricting process, and genuine bipartisan collaboration.

Mike DeWine | C-

Mike DeWine has served as Ohio Governor since 2019. DeWine’s record as governor has some admirable accomplishments but also considerable blemishes. DeWine has illustrated a sincere evolution on supporting LGBTQ+ people, which is encouraging. Still, he has a troubling track record, including refusing to  veto the “medical conscience clause” slipped into last year’s budget, which will harm LGBTQ+ people seeking medical care. He also fully opposes abortion, a procedure to which LGBTQ+ individuals need safe access.

DeWine also played a key role in Ohio’s redistricting drama, voting to implement unconstitutionally gerrymandered maps for US Congress, Ohio Senate, and Ohio House of Representatives.

To Governor DeWine’s credit, within minutes of taking office, he signed a nondiscrimination executive order protecting LGBTQ+ state employees, including transgender employees. This was an important, meaningful executive action in a state where LGBTQ+ Ohioans still do not have statewide nondiscrimination protections. He also has used his pulpit to advocate for investment in child services and strong mental health support for Ohio’s youth. He has publicly opposed the legislature seeking to ban transgender youth from playing sports.

Prior to serving as Governor, DeWine served as an Ohio State Senator, a U.S. Congressman, U.S. Senator, and Ohio Attorney General. As a U.S. Senator, DeWine sponsored the Federal Marriage Amendment to the US Constitution, which would have outlaw same-sex marriages. As Attorney General, DeWine opposed the Obergefell v. Hodges marriage equality case and sued to stop the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. 

During his tenure as Governor, his positions on both of these issues appear to have softened based upon public comments and his expansion of medicaid in Ohio. We hope that as Governor, DeWine will continue to evolve towards valuing respect for civil rights and bodily autonomy.

Nan Whaley | A

Nan Whaley served as the mayor of Dayton, Ohio from 2013 to 2022. Whaley led the city during the period in which Dayton suffered two major tragedies—the devastating tornadoes, and the Dayton mass shooting, which has motivated her to fight hard for practical gun control and infrastructure investment. As mayor, Whaley has focused on economic development and revitalization, investment in early childhood education. Under Whaley’s leadership, Dayton consistently received the highest possible score on Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index, which seeks to evaluate cities in their support for LGBTQ+ residents.

Whaley has run an unabashedly pro-equality campaign for governor, specifically making big promises to protect abortion access, civil rights, and LGBTQ+ equality.

Whaley has a robust list of campaign priorities that illustrate a strong commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and fairness. Gun safety, anti-corruption, jobs, prescription drug costs, and environmental protections are all priority issues for Whaley. Whaley is a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ equality on social media, in campaign speeches, and in attendance at LGBTQ+ events.

We hope that as Governor, Whaley will continue to value equality and work to protect and enhance civil rights.

Dave Yost | F

Dave Yost has served as Ohio State Attorney General since 2019. While in office, Yost has amassed a lengthy record of harmful litigation against LGBTQ+ civil rights and public statements that alienate and, at times, even villainize our LGBTQ+ community.

Yost has sued three federal agencies in two anti-transgender lawsuits this year, both targeting Title IX nondiscrimination guidance. The first lawsuit went after the Department of Education and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission arguing schools should have the right to discriminate against transgender students. The second went after the Department of Agriculture’s free school lunch program, arguing that schools participating in the program should be allowed to discriminate. Both lawsuits are without legal merit and send a signal to transgender Ohioans that they are not worthy of basic protections. Yost also issued a Friend of the Court brief to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing against LGBTQ+ workplace protections. 

Yost also joined a lawsuit that pushed the Big Lie and attempted to overturn Pennsylvania’s election results in 2020. In addition, he is avidly anti-choice and has litigated and filed briefs in opposition to abortion access.

Prior to becoming Ohio Attorney General, he served as State Auditor, Delaware County Auditor, and Delaware County Prosecutor.

We were unable to locate a campaign website. It is our sincere hope that if Yost remains the Attorney General that he will be willing to meet with LGBTQ+ Ohioans to understand how these past actions have harmed the community and how he can take proactive steps to protect the community through his position of power instead.

Jeff Crossman | A 

Jeff Crossman is a current Ohio State Representative who has served since 2019. This year, he earned an A- on Equality Ohio’s Lawmaker Scorecard for his voting record while in office, illustrating a strong commitment to legal and lived equality for all.

Prior to serving in the Ohio House of Representatives, Crossman was a Parma City Councilman. He has worked closely with the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland and provides certain pro bono legal counsel in his community. He has been vocal on social media regarding his support of LGBTQ+ Ohioans and access to abortion.

As Attorney General, we hope that Crossman will honor his commitment to protecting civil rights and protecting Ohio from corruption.

Chelsea Clark | B

Chelsea Clark has served as a Forest Park City Councilperson since 2017. She is also a small business owner. Emphasizing that she is a sixth generation farmer and a single mom, Clark indicates she was motivated to run for Secretary of State to protect democracy. 

Clark was previously a financial analyst in Cincinnati and a teacher. She also started a nonprofit to support parents helping their children learn math and science. 

Clark promises to protect voting rights, ensure all voters are counted, and protect the safety and security of our elections. She also promises to support small businesses. 

Clark has given us every reason to believe she will value voting rights, democracy, and civil rights.

As someone who primarily worked in the private sector, limited public information is available regarding Clark’s specific professional accomplishments. Her “B” grade reflects a limited – but promising – public track record.

We hope that as Secretary of State, Clark will continue to prioritize voting rights and ballot access.

Frank LaRose | C-

Frank LaRose has served as Ohio’s Secretary of State since 2019. Prior to serving as Secretary of State, he served in the Ohio Senate.

LaRose’s record as Secretary of State has been disappointing to voter advocates and democracy protectors. He defended and continued the problematic voter purge process, and he voted to implement legislative maps that he himself acknowledged were drafted based on “asinine” reasoning. On the Ohio Redistricting Commission, LaRose voted to implement unconstitutionally gerrymandered maps for US Congress, Ohio Senate, and Ohio House of Representatives.

This is a disappointing shift for LaRose, who as a state legislator consistently showed up as a reliable leader for LGBTQ+ Ohioans. As a Senator, LaRose was a cosponsor of the Ohio Fairness Act for numerous years, and he has  championed LGBTQ+ equality within his caucus and among his colleagues as a nonpartisan issue. We deeply appreciate this vocal support and hope it will continue; we must also account that his  recent momentum away from voting rights and civil rights harms Ohioans, including LGBTQ+ Ohioans. We hope that as Secretary of State, LaRose will double down on the importance of election fairness and voter access, reject once and for all the Big Lie, and continue to vocally support LGBTQ+ Ohioans.

SB 100

SB 119 the Ohio Fairness Act, which would add “sexual orientation” and gender identity or expression” to Ohio’s existing non-discrimination laws.

SB 197

SB 263

HB 208 is the House equivalent of The Ohio Fairness Act (also HB 369), which would add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression” to Ohio’s existing nondiscrimination protections.

HB 404

HB 420

HB 468

SB 132 (Anti-Trans Sports Bill)

SB 187 (Anti-Trans Sports Bill)

HB 109

HB 151

HB 322

HB 327

HB 454

HB 616

HB 598

SB 87

SB 103

SB 149

SB 177

SB 182

SB 183

SB 261

SB 288

SB 295

SB 301

SB 317

HCR 15

HB 105

HB 121

HB 125

HB 182

HB 183

HB 210

HB 232

HB 315

HB 319

HB 355

HB 374

HB 382

HB 619

HB 682

SB 17

SB 22

SB 80

SB 157

SB 201

SB 258

SB 304

HR 132

HB 13

HB 22

HB 173

HB 211

 HB 227

HB 240

HB 248

HB 276

HB 356

HB 378

HB 421

HB 480