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Defeated Republican Justice Won't Seek Open Spot

A justice bounced from the bench by voters last week won’t try to stay on the court, even though a vacancy is opening up. Ohio Public Radio’s Karen Kasler reports.

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Republican Justice Robert Cupp was defeated by Democratic challenger Bill O’Neill, who won a seat in his third try for the Supreme Court. Republican Justice Evelyn Stratton is retiring, and there was speculation that Cupp might be Gov. Kasich’s choice to replace her. But Cupp says in an announcement that he will not apply for that appointment. He notes that several cases still remain to be decided by the end of the year and he won’t apply – quoting him here – “to avoid any appearance that my decision in such cases may be influenced by a desire to be appointed by the Governor to fill the vacancy, and to best serve public confidence in the independence of the Supreme Court.” But Cupp doesn’t rule out running again at some point.

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