For the last year, Maureen O’Connor has essentially been the only thing blocking Republicans from cementing their control over the state legislature and congressional delegation. A few weeks ago, she retired from her job as chief justice of the Ohio supreme court (Ohio requires judges to retire when they turn 70), decreasing the likelihood Ohioans will get a fair electoral map anytime in the future.
In seven separate rulings last year, O’Connor – a registered Republican – joined Democrats and served as the decisive swing vote blocking Ohio Republicans from enacting maps they had severely distorted to their benefit. Each time the supreme court struck down the maps, Republicans came back with a plan that was just slightly more favorable to Democrats. None passed the court’s muster.
