The November 5 election is fast approaching, and three Ohio Supreme Court races are among the most important on the ballot.
The seven members of Ohio’s highest court play a critical role in our state. The court resolves issues important to Ohio businesses – from small, independent businesses to large corporations. The court hears matters of taxation, public utilities, employment, arbitration, workers compensation, contracts, insurance, tort liability, medical malpractice and damage limitations – and that’s just a small sample of the cases that come before them.
As you would expect, it’s important to elect justices who have the legal experience, integrity and work ethic needed to be effective. Just as importantly, though, is the need to elect justices with a philosophy of not second-guessing the policy choices of elected officials charged with making the law if the statute at hand is supported by the constitution. Also, it’s key to elect justices who will work to ensure a stable, predictable judicial system for Ohioans.
After careful evaluation, Judge Dan Hawkins, Judge Megan Shanahan and Justice Joseph Deters have been selected as the Ohio CPA/PAC Preferred candidates for the Ohio Supreme Court. Each has the experience needed to be fair, impartial and disciplined justices.
OSCPA’s political action committee is made up of a bipartisan group of your fellow CPAs who serve as Ohio CPA PAC's Board of Trustees. These trustees, from cities across the state, are responsible for evaluating statewide and Statehouse candidates and determining the level of support merited based on their voting record, background, philosophy on key issues of concern to the business community, relationship with OSCPA, and other key factors.
Justice Joe Deters
Justice Deters is the 163rd justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio. He took office in January 2023, following his appointment by Gov. Mike DeWine. Prior to joining the Court, Justice Deters served as the longest-tenured prosecutor in Hamilton County. He held the position twice from 1992-1999 and 2005-2023.
Judge Dan Hawkins
In 2013, Judge Hawkins was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Environmental Division of the Franklin County Municipal Court and was later elected to finish the remainder of his predecessor’s term. In 2018 Judge Hawkins was elected to the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. He also spent 13 years as a trial prosecutor, the last 10 years serving as Director of the office’s prestigious Special Victims Unit.
Judge Shanahan was first elected to the Municipal Court in 2011 and re-elected in 2013. Prior to this, she was a felony-level criminal prosecutor, where she successfully tried over 50 jury trials. In 2016 she was appointed to the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court.
Members of the seven-member Ohio Supreme Court are elected on a non-partisan basis for six-year terms. The Court’s decisions can have a significant impact on Ohio’s economy, health care, education and more.
Ohio CPA/PAC's Board also evaluated over 200 candidates for the Ohio House and Ohio Senate. Candidates selected as Ohio CPA/PAC Preferred were chosen based on their voting record on key CPA and business issues (for incumbent legislators), their philosophy on key CPA and broader business issues, their working relationship with Ohio CPAs and OSCPA itself, their background and reputation, and the viability of their race. To see the full list of our Preferred candidates across the state, visit: https://ohiocpa.com/advocacy/2024-elections