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John P. O'Donnell (Cuyahoga County, Ohio)
This is the page for the judge of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, Ohio. If you are looking for another judge or judicial candidate by this name, please see: John O'Donnell.
John P. O'Donnell is a judge of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas General Division in Ohio. He assumed office on January 5, 2007. His current term ends on January 4, 2031.
O'Donnell (Nonpartisan, Democratic Party) ran for re-election for judge of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas General Division in Ohio. O'Donnell won in the general election on November 5, 2024. He advanced from the Democratic primary on March 19, 2024.
Education
O'Donnell received his undergraduate degree from Miami University (of Ohio) in 1987 and his J.D. from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 1993.[1][2]
Career
- 2007-present: Judge, Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas General Division
- 2005-2006: Attorney, Terrence J. Kenneally & Associates
- 2002-2005: Judge, Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas General Division
- 1999-2002: Cincinnati Staff Counsel
- 1997-1999: Attorney, Gallagher Sharp
- 1993-1997: Attorney, Meyers, Hentemann & Rea
- 1993: Admitted to the Ohio Bar[3]
In his professional life before practicing law, O'Donnell worked as an insurance adjuster. It was this work that originally drew him to the law as a career.[4]
Awards and associations
- Member, The Ohio Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism
- Member, Board of Directors, Cleveland Law Library Association
- Member, Board of Directors, Lakewood City Academy
- Member, Board of Directors, St. Malachi Center
- Member, Board of Directors, Cuyahoga County Law Library Resource Board [3]
Elections
2024
See also: Municipal elections in Cuyahoga County, Ohio (2024)
General election
General election for Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas General Division
Incumbent John P. O'Donnell won election in the general election for Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas General Division on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | John P. O'Donnell (Nonpartisan) | 100.0 | 268,802 |
| Total votes: 268,802 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas General Division
Incumbent John P. O'Donnell advanced from the Democratic primary for Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas General Division on March 19, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John P. O'Donnell | 100.0 | 70,701 |
| Total votes: 70,701 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for O'Donnell in this election.
2020
See also: Ohio Supreme Court elections, 2020
General election
General election for Ohio Supreme Court
Incumbent Sharon L. Kennedy defeated John P. O'Donnell in the general election for Ohio Supreme Court on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Sharon L. Kennedy (Nonpartisan) | 55.1 | 2,735,041 |
| John P. O'Donnell (Nonpartisan) | 44.9 | 2,231,724 | |
| Total votes: 4,966,765 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Ohio Supreme Court
John P. O'Donnell advanced from the Democratic primary for Ohio Supreme Court on April 28, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John P. O'Donnell | 100.0 | 659,196 |
| Total votes: 659,196 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Ohio Supreme Court
Incumbent Sharon L. Kennedy advanced from the Republican primary for Ohio Supreme Court on April 28, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Sharon L. Kennedy | 100.0 | 637,255 |
| Total votes: 637,255 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Campaign finance
2018
General election
General election for Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas General Division
Incumbent John P. O'Donnell defeated Loncherie Billingsley in the general election for Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas General Division on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John P. O'Donnell (D) | 73.5 | 270,690 |
 | Loncherie Billingsley (R) | 26.5 | 97,608 | |
| Total votes: 368,298 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas General Division
Incumbent John P. O'Donnell advanced from the Democratic primary for Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas General Division on May 8, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | John P. O'Donnell | 100.0 | 81,127 |
| Total votes: 81,127 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas General Division
Loncherie Billingsley advanced from the Republican primary for Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas General Division on May 8, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Loncherie Billingsley | 100.0 | 29,547 |
| Total votes: 29,547 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
- See also: Ohio Supreme Court elections, 2016
O'Donnell ran for the Ohio Supreme Court. He was unopposed in the Democratic primary held on March 15, 2016. He faced the winner of the Republican primary, Ohio First District Court of Appeals Judge Pat Fischer, in the November 8 general election.[5][6]
Election results
November 8 general election
| Ohio Supreme Court, Lanziger's Seat, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Pat Fischer |
50.28% | 2,044,984 | |
| Democratic | John P. O'Donnell | 49.72% | 2,022,514 | |
| Total Votes (100% reporting) | 4,067,498 | |||
| Source: Ohio Secretary of State Official Results | ||||
March 15 primary
| Ohio Supreme Court, Justice Lazinger's Seat Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | John P. O'Donnell (unopposed) |
100.00% | 776,945 | |
| Total Votes | 776,945 | |||
| Source: Ohio Secretary of State Official Results | ||||
Ohio State Bar Association rating
The Ohio State Bar Association's 25-member Commission on Judicial Candidates rates each supreme court candidate as either "not recommended," "recommended," "highly recommended," or "superior." Below are the ratings each 2016 candidate received.
A candidate who is rated "not recommended" received favorable evaluations from less than 60 percent of the commission members. A rating of "recommended" means that the candidate received favorable evaluations from more than 60 percent of the commission members. Those candidates rated "recommended" are subject to a second poll of the commission members; a vote of more than 70 percent of the commission raises that candidate's rating to "highly recommended." Those so rated are subject to a third poll; a vote of more than 80 percent of the commission will raise a "highly recommended" candidate to a rating of "superior."
| Ohio State Bar Association Ratings, 2016 | |
| Candidate | Rating |
|---|---|
| John P. O'Donnell | Recommended |
| Pat Fischer | Highly Recommended |
| Source: | Ohio State Bar Association |
Endorsements
Campaign finance
In addition to the above funds, John O'Donnell's campaign has an outstanding loan of $11,000 as of August 31, 2016.
Ads
The Democratic Party of Ohio launched an online video ad for John O'Donnell. The ad focuses on O'Donnell's character, upbringing, work ethic, and ties to Ohio and features his family members. You may view the ad here.
Polling
A poll was conducted of 500 likely voters in June by Lake Research Partners, a firm that describes itself as advancing progressive ideals.[8] The poll found a wide margin for John P. O'Donnell (D) over his opponent Pat Fischer (R).[9]
| John O'Donnell (D) v. Pat Fischer (R), Ohio Supreme Court | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | John O'Donnell | Pat Fischer | Undecided | Margin of error | Sample size | ||||||||||||||
| Lake Research Partners (a Democrat-affiliated firm) (June 8-13, 2016) | 21% | 7% | 65% | +/-4.4 | 500 | ||||||||||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org. | |||||||||||||||||||
2014
- See also: Ohio judicial elections, 2014
O'Donnell ran for election to the Ohio Supreme Court. He faced incumbent Judith French in the general election on November 4, 2014. O'Donnell lost the race by a margin of 56% to 44%.[10]
News from the campaign trail
New perspective for "out of balance" court
Judge O'Donnell says he wants to bring a whole new perspective to a court that is "far out of balance."[11]
| “ | We currently have a Supreme Court (in Ohio) with one Democrat and six Republicans. Even people who are heavily partisan should recognize that a court that is that far out of balance is not good in the overall scheme of things.[11][12] | ” |
O'Donnell stated that he is not challenging Justice French for her seat because he finds her "incapable or unqualified."[13] For him, it is about perspective. He said: "I think I'll bring a different perspective than Justice French."[13] O'Donnell cited his extensive trial court experience, as a lawyer and a judge, as the basis for this new perspective.[13][4] He stated again that Justice French "has qualifications - but not [his] qualifications."[14]
Qualifications
O'Donnell has spoken frequently about how his experience in the courtroom, both as a lawyer and a judge, has shaped him to be a better supreme court justice. He said that "recent, heavy-duty, trial-court experience" is necessary to update the perspective of the court.[4] O'Donnell says he is qualified to bring this new perspective to the supreme court, citing his "experience trying felony criminal cases and major commercial lawsuits."[15]
Interestingly and quite unusual for a lower court judge, O'Donnell has authored over 100 court opinions. Judge Philip Mayer of the Richland County Court of Common Pleas has praised Judge O'Donnell for this feat, saying it is "excellent training to one day end up as a Supreme Court judge."[14]
Party politics
O'Donnell, while listed as a Democrat on the ballot, does not want to be pigeonholed into party ideology.
| “ | I am not telling you that I am conservative or liberal or moderate. I am telling you...that I have a broad array of experiences that have rendered me I think capable of good service on the court.[15][12] | ” |
He was also appointed to a dedicated docket by former Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Moyer across party lines.
| “ | The fact that I was appointed by somebody that’s not in my political party, suggests, I hope, that I can be counted on to be impartial, reasonable, and independent, and not just a shell for one side or the other.[11][12] | ” |
Campaign videos
Judge O'Donnell also sat down with OhioCapitalBlog to discuss the Supreme Court race, his background, and his qualifications for Supreme Court justice.
Strong ballot name
In Ohio, having a "strong ballot name" goes a long way. According to the Ohio Democratic Party, candidates having Irish surnames, as O'Donnell does, are well-liked by Democratic voters. The Ohio Supreme Court bench already has one O'Donnell, an O'Neill, an O'Connor, and a Kennedy.[13]
Endorsements
- Ohio Democratic Party State Executive Committee[16]
2012
O'Donnell was re-elected to the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas after running unopposed in the general election November 6, 2012.[17][18]
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
John P. O'Donnell did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
John P. O'Donnell did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
Approach to the law
| “ | A judge should not legislate from the bench but, in the end, that is in the eye of the beholder.[4][12] | ” |
O'Donnell sees the role of a judge as being similar to that of an umpire. The judge "call balls and strikes" thrown by the parties' attorneys.[4]
See also
2024 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, "Judge John P. O'Donnell"
- ↑ Kyle Cassidy, The Carroll News, "Supreme Court of Ohio: O'Donnell seeks to bring balance to court," October 30, 2014
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Judge4Yourself.com, "John P. O'Donnell, Biographical Statement" (dead link)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Columbus Dispatch, "Cleveland judge O’Donnell starts campaign for high court," January 25, 2014
- ↑ Denise Grant, The Courier, "Ballot set for March primary election," December 17, 2015
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted, "2016 Ohio Elections Calendar," accessed January 15, 2016
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Ohio Democratic Party, "MEMO: Ohio Democrats “Strongly Positioned” To Pick Up Two Ohio Supreme Court Seats," June 23, 2016
- ↑ Lake Research Partners, accessed September 21, 2016
- ↑ [https://ohiodems.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Ohio_Supreme_Court_LRP_Memo_061716.pdf Ohio Democratic Party, "New Poll Shows O’Donnell and Rice Strongly Positioned for Ohio Supreme Court Seats," June 23, 2016]
- ↑ Secretary of State, "Statewide Candidates for the May 6, 2014 Primary Election," February 18, 2014
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Ripley Bee, "Candidates speak at Democrat Dinner," May 22, 2014
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Cleveland.com, "Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge John P. O'Donnell seeking seat on Ohio Supreme Court," September 26, 2013
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Richland Source, "Judge John O'Donnell speaks to Shelby Area Democratic Society," May 31, 2014
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 WKSU, "Judge John O'Donnell kicks off campaign for Ohio Supreme Court," January 23, 2014
- ↑ Erie County Democratic Party, "2014 Statewide Candidates endorsed by ODP State Executive Committee," accessed August 20, 2014
- ↑ Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, "Unofficial 2012 General Election Results"
- ↑ Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, "Primary Election Candidates"
Federal courts:
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Northern District of Ohio, Southern District of Ohio • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Northern District of Ohio, Southern District of Ohio
State courts:
Ohio Supreme Court • Ohio District Courts of Appeal • Ohio Courts of Common Pleas • Ohio County Courts • Ohio Municipal Courts • Ohio Court of Claims
State resources:
Courts in Ohio • Ohio judicial elections • Judicial selection in Ohio
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