Northern Medina County Democrats hosts judicial candidates' night

BRUNSWICK — Brunswick area residents familiarized themselves with the Democratic candidates who are running for judicial offices during a candidates' night hosted by the Northern Medina County Democrats on Wednesday. Incumbent Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Brunner worked in Franklin County as a trial judge, served on the 10th District Court of Appeals and was elected to her current role on the Ohio Supreme Court in 2020. She said in her opinion, public service means "fairness, equality and respect," which has been her guiding principle in each office she has held. "We trust the rule of law, this higher ideal that is administered by people who take the oath of office and who say that they will protect, maintain and defend that rule of law, so that we have safety and predictability," she said. Incumbent Judge Betty Sutton is on the 9th District Court of Appeals. Over the years, she has served on Barberton City Council, Summit County Council, the Ohio House of Representatives and in Congress. She said she made a conscious choice to be part of the judiciary because the judicial branch is more important than ever. "(The courts) protect our rights," she said. "They hold people accountable. I do not believe our courts should be driven by politics. They should be fiercely driven by impartial justice and fairness for all." Tavia Galonski is running for a separate seat on the 9th District Court of Appeals. She has experience as an attorney, a magistrate, and a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, and now works as the Summit County clerk of courts. "Somebody said to me today, 'What's your why?' Betty (Sutton) told me and reminded me that the court is not balanced right now," Galonski said. "She is the one 'D.' I am into balance, and I am into fairness." Ben Fuchs is a Cuyahoga County prosecutor who specializes in cold cases of homicides and sexual assaults. He is running to be a judge on the Medina County Court of Common Pleas. "Medina County needs someone who has handled these kinds of cases, who can sympathize with the people of Medina County and who can speak directly to the people of Medina County in the courtroom," he said. "I would treat those people with respect to make sure that our courts remain fair and that people are treated the way that they're supposed to be treated by public officials in Medina County." Carol Brenstuhl was also part of the event as the Democratic candidate running for Medina County auditor. She has a bachelor's degree in accounting, a master's degree in tax administration and previously served as a member of the Army National Guard. "I would like to open town hall meetings to meet with people. I don't care if it's at night or if it's during the day," she said. "We have working people that want to meet at night. We have senior citizens who don't want to go out at night driving, so we accommodate them. We're there to serve them, and that's what I want to do." The Democratic candidates at Wednesday's event are running in the following races: Brunner is running against Republican Colleen O'Donnell for Ohio Supreme Court Justice. Sutton is running against Republican Cynthia Curtin for 9th District Court of Appeals Judge. Galonski is running against Republican Nathan Manning for 9th District Court of Appeals Judge. Gov. Mike DeWine appointed Manning to the seat in July. Fuchs is running against Republican Matt Razavi for Medina County Court of Common Pleas judge. Brenstuhl is running against Republican Rick Dumperth for Medina County auditor. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.