Jennifer L. Brunner

Jennifer Brunner was born in Springfield, Ohio.[1] Brunner earned a bachelor's degree from Miami University in Ohio in 1978 and a J.D. from Capital University Law School in 1983.[1][2] Her career experience includes working as an attorney in private practice.[2] Brunner has served as a board chairperson with the Legacy Fund of The Columbus Foundation and has been a member of Sisters of the Planet Ambassador for Oxfam America and the Ohio Advisory Committee for U.S. Global Leadership Fund.[1] Brunner was a judge on the Ohio Tenth District Court of Appeals from 2015 to 2021. She was elected to the court on November 4, 2014, to serve out the remainder of Judith French's unexpired term through December 31, 2016.[3] She was elected in 2016 to a full six-year term. She joined the state Supreme Court in 2021 when she defeated Justice Judith French in the 2020 general election.

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Video submitted to BallotpediaReleased October 4, 2022

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m running for Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court because justice matters for every Ohioan. Steady and principled leadership of the state’s highest court is essential to helping Ohioans realize justice in their everyday lives.

Ohio is a very diverse state with deep rural roots, storied urban communities and countless small and middle sized towns and cities. I take seriously my responsibility as one of seven people elected to do justice for all the people of Ohio. I am grateful for what I’ve learned from Ohioans in my many years of service to them, working at three levels of the state’s courts and as Ohio’s first female secretary of state.

Administrative and policy leadership of the court is not about an ideology of who should win and who should lose. It is about a belief and understanding that courts are only as effective as people believe them to be. Good judges and fair courts can lift the confidence Ohioans have in their judiciary. And that confidence makes our courts more effective.

I know that courts can do good things for people—protect their health, safety and welfare—with fairness, equality and respect. And I am committed to doing this every day now and as Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court.

I am further committed to using the power of the court to help lift the vision of all judges of the state to why we serve and the power we have to do good for all Ohioans.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I’m running for Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court because justice matters for every Ohioan. I am currently a justice of the Ohio Supreme Court and have the administrative experience and a vision for leading all of Ohio's courts.Steady, experienced and principled leadership of the state’s highest court is essential to helping Ohioans realize justice in their everyday lives. Politics does not belong in courts. That's why every decision I've authored since being on the court has had bipartisan support.I know that courts can do good things for people—protect their health, safety and welfare—with fairness, equality and respect. And I am committed to doing this every day now and as Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

My campaign is based on my vision for a justice system in Ohio that operates with accountability, openness and fairness to all and that promotes access to justice--a judicial campaign for and about people.

As the only candidate in the race who with experience managing a statewide office in Ohio and supervising local government activities in every county of this state, my policy agenda to lead Ohio’s judiciary as Ohio’s next Chief Justice is organized around this philosophy: "Courts belong to the people."

My vision to lead Ohio's courts embraces the principles of helping Ohioans have access to their courts while working with judges throughout Ohio as responsive public servants promoting fairness, equality and respect for all persons. Video of my remarks about my platform, given on September 14, 2021 at , is available on this campaign Website at https://www.justicebrunner.com/news/chief-justice-candidate-jennifer-brunner-unveils-vision-for-ohio-courts. I believe that when one person is helped, many benefit, and I am passionate about the ways our courts can help people when we work together with a common vision.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to President John F. Kennedy, former U.S. Rep. Barbara Jordan and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. President Kennedy inspired people like me to serve their country and helped promote public service as a noble calling. Barbara Jordan was fearless in the cause of fairness and good government and a trailblazer as the first black Congresswoman from Texas. Justice Ginsburg had a storied career even before she became a member of the nation's judiciary. She made equality for women more of a reality in my lifetime and served with honor and distinction as a member of the U.S. Supreme Court until her death.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Characteristics or principles most important for an elected official include a sense of public service, a dedication to promoting and protecting the rule of law, emphasizing fairness, equality and respect, an understanding of democratic principles, and caring about people and their safety.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember when Ohio's own John Glenn became the first man to orbit the earth in space and watched on television his capsule land in the ocean when I was a child and staying at my grandmother's house in rural Ohio.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My very first job was when I was 16 years old and still in high school. I had to have a work permit to be able to work under the age of 18. I was a typist in a typing pool in Columbus, Ohio, and typed addresses and phone numbers from small print documents, creating documents that would be scanned for mailing lists. Accuracy was required. I worked this job for about a year after school and in the summer, until I became a store clerk at Sears Department Store in Columbus, Ohio, again, while still in high school.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

The Chief Justice is the superintendent of the Ohio's courts under the Ohio Supreme Court's Rules of Superintendence. The Chief determines the disqualification of judges who litigants may seek to disqualify from presiding over a case and names replacement judges on cases where judges recuse or are disqualified. The Chief names the judges to the Ohio Court of Claims and may address community and legal issues through the creation of task forces to recommend rules changes and other means to improve courts' operation.

How would you describe your legal philosophy?

My legal philosophy is that I am a jurist who is a public servant who desires to do a good job in protecting the rule of law and applying it impartially, with independence, demonstrating fairness, equality and respect for all persons in Thanks.at role.

Is there a particular judge, past or present, whom you admire?

As noted earlier, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Do you believe that empathy is an important quality for a judge?

Yes, since the law addresses human conditions and problems, an understanding of what they are in a variety of circumstances if valuable to good judgement.

Have you ever been rated by a Bar Association? If so, what was the rating?

Yes--Excellent. See: https://www.judge4yourself.com/candidate/jennifer-brunner-2/

What is your primary concern about today's legal system in your state?

My primary concern about today's legal system in Ohio is access to justice for people of all economic means is important. Greater access is more likely to promote public confidence, which improves public confidence, the lifeblood of an effective judiciary.

How does your state’s supreme court serve as part of the state government’s checks and balances?

The Ohio Constitution provides the state's highest court, the Ohio Supreme Court, with certain authority to hold unconstitutional laws or rules or practices of other branches of the state's government, permitting citizens to give them no further effect.

Do you believe that Bar Association ratings are an accurate reflection of a judge’s ability?

Not always, especially for new judges. But for judges who have been in office for many years, the bar does have a more informed sense of how they perceive judges perform their roles.

If you are not a sitting judge, do you have any previous judicial experience? Do you believe it’s important to have that kind of experience for this judgeship?

N/A

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I serve as one of 8 state appeals court judges of the Tenth District Court of Appeals located in Franklin County, Ohio; previously served in elective office as a Common Pleas Judge (2000-2005) and Ohio Secretary of State (2007-2011). In 2008 I received the bipartisan John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for public service as Secretary of State. In 2010, I was a candidate for the United States Senate. Previously, I was a principal at Brunner Quinn just prior to being elected to my current judicial position in 2014 and was reelected in 2016. Having founded my law firm in 1988 from the corner of my bedroom with young children, I hold 17 years private law practice experience as well as state government experience in the Ohio Senate and the Secretary of State's office as a staff attorney.

I have been privileged to assist foreign governments with rule of law and self-governance matters on behalf of the U.S. State Department through USAID, including anti-corruption and judicial reform consulting in the Republic of Serbia, election observation in the Arab Republic of Egypt and providing legal training in the Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

I have been married since 1978 to attorney Rick Brunner. We have three adult children and five grandchildren.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Under the state constitution's newly voter-adopted amendments for drawing new district lines for the state and designed to end Ohio's system of partisan gerrymandering, any Ohio Supreme Court review of newly drawn state legislative and Congressional districts should ensure fairness and faithfulness to the language of the Ohio Constitution.The Ohio Supreme Court is in a strong position to work with Ohio courts and others in the state's criminal justice system to help end racism in that system, starting with a transparent, public database of criminal arrests, charges, prosecutions, convictions and sentencing by Ohio judges, according to demographic factors such as race, gender, LGBTQ, income zip code, education and more.Access to justice means many things: access for people who can't afford an attorney, giving people their day in court and not shortening the process with decisions that improperly deny a trial, and readily offering mediation for a satisfactory outcome for the parties and to reduce litigation costs.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am running for the Ohio Supreme Court to provide good public service to the state in protecting and

strengthening the rule of law in Ohio. The people of Ohio speak through their state constitution, establishing the courts, but assigning to the legislature the expression of courts' jurisdiction. My philosophy is one of strict observance of the separation powers, so that the balance between those powers necessary for a healthy democracy is preserved and protected. I do not strive for popularity of my work, but rather, to protect the Ohio and U.S. constitutions and the rights afforded by them to the people. A ruling should not be result-oriented, but rather, one that looks to how the law may apply in the future for the greater good. For example, to deny an appeal to a bad actor, simply because what they have done is egregious, denies a future appeal to someone who needs it. As a judge and as a prospective justice, it is my duty to increase public confidence in the judiciary by protecting a fair and impartial rule of law, using judicial discretion wisely so the rule of law helps people and does not hurt them.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to Congressman John Lewis and would like to follow his example of working tirelessly for fairness, equality and respect for all persons.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

As a judge or as a justice of the Ohio Supreme Court, "political" philosophy, if one is held, is discarded in favor of carrying out the core responsibilities as described above in deciding cases before the court.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

An elected official should have a strong commitment to public service for the greater good and to carrying out the duties of office in a fair and impartial manner and according to the law.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

My father, born in 1933 at the height of the Great Depression, told me when I was child that if I was honest and worked hard, I would always "get by." I have found that those character traits are a simple but effective path to peace of mind and make it possible to do right by others. In fact, to me, they are authentic measure of success. When I served as Secretary of State I endured death threats, 7 weeks of being guarded by the Ohio High Patrol, a joint letter by the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate to boards of elections to not follow my directives, multiple lawsuits from conservative to liberal interests and more. My focus is and has been on public service, and when I my life is over, I will view my success according to how I have helped other people.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Judicial officers (justices, judges and magistrates) must be objective and open-minded. They must interpret and apply the law without regard to whether they approve or disapprove of the law in question, especially legislative or regulatory enactments. They must ensure that self-represented litigants have the opportunity to have their matters fairly heard, making reasonable accommodations to self-represented litigants consistent with the law. Judicial officers must avoid conduct that may reasonably be perceived as prejudiced or biased. They must decide cases according to the law and facts, without regard to whether particular laws or litigants are popular or unpopular with the public, the media, government officials, or the my friends or family.

Judicial officers in their public roles must not make any public statement that might reasonably be expected to affect the outcome or impair the fairness of a matter pending or impending in any court, or make any nonpublic statement that might substantially interfere with a fair trial or hearing. Nor may judicial officers in connection with cases, controversies, or issues that are likely to come before the court, make pledges, promises, or commitments that are inconsistent with the impartial performance of the adjudicative duties of judicial office.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That for the time I had the privilege of serving, I did all I could to make people's lives better. As a judge, I would be doing that by protecting and strengthening the rule of law for the people I served and doing it with both kindness and courage.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I was in first grade when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. I was 6 years old. Someone came into our classroom when I was in reading group and told the teacher.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My very first job was in a typing pool while in high school, starting when I was 16 years old. I had my driver's license by then and worked after school and on weekends to earn my own money, beginning with buying my own clothes. I am the oldest of 4 children, and it helped out my parents. After about 6 months, I went to work at a Sears department store as a cashier while still in high school and through my early college years, and I also worked as a server at Frisch's Big Boy restaurant, as a secretary for my father's insurance agency, as a professor's assistant during college at Miami University and as a program monitor for the U.S.D.A. Summer Lunch Program in Columbus for the city Recreation and Parks Department. Just out of college and just married, I worked as a temporary secretary in Columbus and then was hired by the Ohio General Assembly to staff the Senate Transportation Committee, later being promoted to a legislative aide to a state senator. I started law school at night while working in the Ohio Senate.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke, translated by Stephen Mitchell, because it speaks to the essence of being human. The book is essentially 10 letters written to a young man about to enter the German military. The young man, who was 19 years old, wrote to Rilke looking for guidance and a critique of some of his poems. Rilke was only 27 himself when he wrote his first letter to the young man. The result was a five-year correspondence about being be an artist and a person. I have given a copy to many young people.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

I would want to be a location scout for movies. I'm not sure that such positions exist to do only that job-which is why I call it a fictional character-but it sure would be fun.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

"Blue" by the Jayhawks.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

My husband and I brought 3 extra children into our family life in the late 1990's to the end of 2000, who needed help. We took full custody of them, raising them along with our own three children. That was the hardest thing I have ever done. The experience taught me so many lessons, making me a better person and a better judge.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

The Ohio Supreme Court's appeals are "discretionary." That means this court, the state's highest court, takes only the appeals it considers to be matters of great public importance. The court should not "duck" controversial or contentious issues, but instead courageously shoulder the burden of helping decide matters important to all of the public. That means a justice on the court should look at the issues objectively on behalf of the public and not according to his or her views either in support of or against an issue appealed to the court.

How would you describe your legal philosophy?

My legal philosophy is to protect the rule of law in our democracy, because it provides people with predictability, security and safety and can serve as a springboard for people to pursue their dreams for themselves, their families and their communities. Thus, I don't interpret to create a new meaning if the plain language is clear. Nor do I add language to statutes or rules coming from the legislative or executive branches of government. I stay in my judicial lane, exercising restraint, but having courage to do my job in applying law in such a way that it does not hurt people but increases their confidence in the rule of law, without stepping into the roles the other two branches. My basic philosophy of public service in general is to promote fairness, equality and respect for all persons.

Is there a particular judge, past or present, whom you admire?

In looking at the U.S. Supreme Court, I believe my views are similar to Justice Neil Gorsuch in that the constitution should be read according to its plain language with no overlayering of contemporary nuances that change its meaning or application. A good article to read on understanding Justice Gosuch's views is here: https://time.com/5670400/justice-neil-gorsuch-why-originalism-is-the-best-approach-to-the-constitution/ I agree with this particular philosophy.

Do you believe that empathy is an important quality for a judge?

Yes, because empathy aids understanding of the issues before the court. It also helps in showing respect to the parties for what they have suffered. Empathy aids in the tone of a decision to that it may be written according to the law yet show kindness and respect in doing so.

Have you ever been rated by a Bar Association? If so, what was the rating?

Yes, I have been rated as Acceptable (2000) as a trial judge candidate by the Columbus Bar Association, and Highly Recommended (2002) when running for reelection. In 2014, when I ran for my current position as a judge of the Ohio Tenth District Court of Appeals, I was rated by the Columbus Bar Association as Highly Recommended. When I ran for reelection in 2016 I was unopposed, so there was no rating. In 2020, as a candidate for the Ohio Supreme Court, the Asian American Bar Association rated me as Excellent, the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association rated me as Good, the Cuyahoga Criminal Defense Lawyers rated me as Excellent and the Norman S. Miner Bar Association rated me as Good. The Ohio State Bar Association rated me as Recommended.

What is your primary concern about today's legal system in your state?

Access to justice is critical. I strongly believe that the right to be heard is an essential component of access to justice. Substantive rights of litigants must be protected by observing procedures protecting the right to be heard and to simply protecting litigants' rights. Also, access to justice should include considerations of how the justice system can work to eliminate racism.

How does your state’s supreme court serve as part of the state government’s checks and balances?

The Ohio Supreme Court may decide whether lower courts correctly applied the law or abused their discretion in determining the facts of the case. The state's high court also at times interprets state and sometimes federal law and constitutional provisions and their application to parties before it in resolving legal disputes. When U.S. constitutional issues are involved, the U.S. Supreme Court may become the final determining court.

Do you believe that Bar Association ratings are an accurate reflection of a judge’s ability?

No. They are subject, non-scientific and often not even statistically representative.

If you are not a sitting judge, do you have any previous judicial experience? Do you believe it’s important to have that kind of experience for this judgeship?

I am a sitting judge.