Sup Ct: Plain Dealer Endorses Sikora

The Plain Dealer has given a boost to Ohio Supreme Court candidate Peter Sikora (D-Cleveland), a Common Pleas Judge in the Juvenile Court division, by endorsing him over incumbent Evelyn Stratton (R-Columbus). Sikora is running for the high court for the second time.

The editorial board notes that both candidates have compelling stories, but state that they have "disagreed with a disturbing number of [Stratton's] decisions -- including several that run counter to open government." As to Sikora, they note that they have criticized him in the past but praise his knowledge of the Supreme Court's recent history and write that they "agree with his support for increased discovery in criminal cases and a mandated study of possible racial disparities in sentencing."

Right now the high court is unfairly stacked against consumers and workers, with all seven seats held by Republicans whose multi-million dollars campaigns are funded mostly by business interests (including in many cases businesses affected by the court's rulings). Although the Plain Dealer doesn't mention it, a compelling reason to support Judge Sikora (and the Democrats' other candidate, Common Pleas Judge Joseph Russo) is to restore some semblance of balance to the court.