The Supreme Court races tend to be the stepchildren of statewide campaigns. Judicial candidates face limitations that other candidates don't: Their party affiliation doesn't appear in the ballot, and they can't talk about their positions on specific issues. So they talk a lot about their experience and their resumes. That leaves many voters without a clear picture of who would serve best.

Mary Jane Trapp, currently an appeals court judge in the district that comprises Lake, Geauga, Portage and Trumbull counties, is running on the Democratic ticket for Ohio Supreme Court. She's so highly thought of and well respected that even the Plain Dealer's increasingly cranky columnist Brent Larkin praised her to the skies. She's a former president of the Ohio State Bar Association, a real accomplishment for a lawyer — and a woman at that — from a small law firm rather than one of the big, powerful firms. And she's considered to be thoughtful and a discriminating listener, important qualities in the judge. Even better, she loves to campaign. She's a outgoing person who enjoys shaking hands and chatting with people.

Here's the link to her website: http://maryjanetrapp.com/

She would be a real asset to the state Supreme Court, and an essential one: Until Eric Brown was appointed recently to fill the seat of Chief Justice Thomas Moyers, who died suddenly, there were seven Republicans and no Democrats on the court. That has often meant a court that regarded the interests and rights of corporations more warmly than those of regular Ohio citizens. And it's just not the balance we need.

Anyone interested in meeting and hearing and talking to Judge Trapp should come out to the Geauga County Democratic Headquarters and Social Hall (12420 Kinsman Rd., Newbury) at 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 25, for a low-dollar fundraiser (Tickets are only $25) called Conversation with Mary Jane Trapp. This is her home turf so she should be in fine form. All are welcome — and anyone in Northeast Ohio interested in justice in this state should think about coming.Many of the people I know who worked so passionately for Jennifer Brunner in the senate primary have switched their efforts and check-writing to Mary Jane's campaign, feeling that she's one of the most exciting and qualified candidates we've got.

If you want more information, e-mail Luanne Dvorak atdvorakla@gmail.com.

And let's not forget to elect Eric Brown to a full term as chief justice. He too is extremely well regarded, and we don't want Mary Jane to be a lone voice in a sea of Republicans!

http://brownforohio.com//