Election 2024: Endorsements on abortion issue could shed light on Ohio Supreme Court races

Within months of voters approving a reproductive rights amendment to the state constitution in November, legal challenges to Ohio's multiple laws restricting abortion started.

There is no doubt that those legal fights will be decided by the Ohio Supreme Court, the ultimate arbiter of constitutional questions.

Judicial candidates are bound by strict rules against making statements about issues or cases that could come before them. So, mostly they're mum on abortion, promising to set aside personal views and follow the law and constitution.

But endorsements may offer a clue: Ohio Right to Life on Tuesday endorsed the three Republicans − Justice Joe Deters, Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Megan Shanahan and Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Dan Hawkins.

“Ohioans desire a strong and decisive judicial branch and with three of the seven seats on the ballot, it is crucial for pro-life voters to support these conservative candidates. We must get these three justices elected to protect life in our state," Ohio Right to Life President Mike Gonidakis said in a written statement.

And Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio had earlier endorsed the three Democrats − Justices Melody Stewart and Michael Donnelly and 8th District Court of Appeals Judge Lisa Forbes.

"This will be another referendum on Issue 1 (the reproductive rights amendment) because all the forces that were funding the campaign against Issue 1, they're all supporting the three Republicans in the race," said Donnelly.

Shanahan, Donnelly's opponent, tweeted in 2016 that she was proud to be endorsed by Greater Cincinnati Right to Life PAC and Center for Christian Virtue , a heavy hitter in the anti-abortion fight.

This election cycle, Shanahan said the judicial ethics rules allow her to state facts, such as endorsements she's received. "I will take an oath to uphold the laws and the constitution as written, and I will do exactly that," she said.

Laura Bischoff is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio .

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Election 2024: Endorsements on abortion issue could shed light on Ohio Supreme Court races