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Statement by Judge C. Ellen Connally Upon Her Declaration of Candidacy for Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court

I am pleased to file the Petitions for Candidacy for the office of Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court. My decision to run for the office of Chief Justice was made only after careful consultation with my colleagues, lawyers from all over the state, leaders of the Democratic Party and my friends and family. In those deliberations one theme always resonated loudly and clearly – it is important, if not vital, in our republican system of government that the voters have a choice in their candidates for political office. The most important judicial office in the state is that of Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court. My candidacy for that office offers the voters a choice between the current incumbent, an able jurist, and myself, who for the past 24 years has been honored to serve my community as a municipal judge on the first line, the front line of the judicial system.

In addition to my experience as a local judge, the choice I offer to the voters of this state is also unique to this election for the highest position on the highest court. I offer the choice to voters of considering the candidacy of the first Democratic woman to ever run for this position.

My choice for a theme for this campaign is simple. It is a theme by which I have always conducted my court and under which I would conduct the office of Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court: impartial consideration of the facts, fair and equal application of the law, and certain justice.

Life is all about choices. Until recently I had considered retirement from the bench and pursuit of academic interests, but when confronted with this opportunity, I chose to postpone my personal agenda for the better course of our two-party electoral system and the opportunity to wage this history-making race. I am committed to running the best campaign that I can. I start with the backing of my friends, family and many party leaders. I look forward to the campaign and the opportunity to try to convince the voters of Ohio to make a new choice, an historic choice, when they cast their ballots on November 2, 2004 for Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court.

I look forward to the campaign of 2004 and the opportunities it will present for me to meet the voters of this great state.