COLUMBUS, OH — The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled that judges and judicial candidates in the state may endorse political candidates, making Ohio the first state to permit such activity.
In a 5-1 decision, the court struck down a decades-old restriction that prohibited judges from publicly supporting or opposing candidates for other offices. The majority opinion, written by Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy and joined by Justices Pat DeWine, Joe Deters, Dan Hawkins, and Megan Shanahan, found that the ban violated First Amendment protections.
The ruling came in a disciplinary case involving former Judge John Rudduck, who had been accused of violating the endorsement prohibition through social media posts. Rather than focusing solely on potential sanctions, the court determined the underlying rule itself was unconstitutional.
In a dissent, Justice Patrick Fischer warned that allowing judges to engage in political endorsements could undermine public confidence in judicial neutrality. Legal experts have similarly noted that such restrictions historically aimed to preserve the independence of the judiciary.
The decision departs from prior rulings in other jurisdictions, where courts have upheld limits on judicial political activity. Critics argue the change could blur the line between judges and elected officials, while supporters contend it affirms judges’ free speech rights.
The ruling applies statewide and immediately alters the ethical standards governing judicial conduct in Ohio.
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