Republican Ohio Supreme Court Justice Judith French has held onto her seat in one of the year's toughest races.
The former Tenth District Court of Appeals judge turned back a challenge from Democrat John P. O'Donnell, a Cuyahoga County Common Pleas judge. O'Donnell drew late criticism for breaking a clean campaign pledge with a negative TV ad.
French was appointed to the seven-member high court in 2012 by Republican Gov. John Kasich. She acknowledged she was concerned O'Donnell's Irish surname would play better with voters than the name French.
But Kasich went all out for his appointee, campaigning jointly with her on numerous occasions and advocating for her in campaign emails.
French was returned to the bench along with fellow Republican incumbent Sharon Kennedy.
