Kasich to appoint a new justice to the Ohio Supreme Court
On the day John Kasich was inaugurated the fate of some three hundred Strickland appointees to various boards and commissions were stalled in the Ohio Legislature awaiting their consideration.
The election resulted in a Republican majority in both houses and not one of the former governor's appointments was ever acted upon. And therefore, it was left to the new governor to fill the vacancies which all come under the perview of the Ohio chief executive. An important and at the same time a daunting task, to say the least.
Some of Governor John Kasich's appointments have been expected and welcomed generally, while others are mired in controversy.
The resignation of one of Ohio's Supreme Court Justices is eminent. At the same time three justices will be elected to the Ohio Supreme Court on November 6th.
The importance of the highest court in the state of Ohio cannot be overstated. The Supreme Court of Ohio has final authority over interpretations of Ohio law as established under Article IV of the Ohio Constitution.
The court has seven members, a chief justice and six associate justices, each serving six-year terms. With the resignation of an existing justice and the possible selection of three new justices by the voters this November the character and the direction of the court may change dramatically. One thing is certain, the court will be different.
The power to appoint a new Supreme Court Justice and members of the boards and commissions that influence everything from real estate transactions, civil rights, the right to bear arms as well as the course of education policy in this state, places a great burden on the Ohio chief executive. It also gives the chief executive, Governor John Kasich, the opportunity to direct the course of his administration to achieve those things for which he sought the office in the first place.
With so much at stake, the selection of three justices to the Supreme Court of Ohio this November makes this election a very important one indeed.