Wealth, political party play pivotal roles in judge races

Running for the court of appeals — particularly for the first time and especially for an open seat — is an expensive venture.

When Katelyn Dickey ran in 2024 for a vacant seat on the Youngstown-based 7th District Court of Appeals, she loaned $205,000 to her campaign fund with her husband providing $150,000.

Dickey raised only $5,800 for the campaign from outside donors with $5,000 coming from the Columbiana County Republican Party.

Judicial candidates need to use their personal wealth to fund campaigns because they are prohibited from receiving campaign contributions until 180 days before a primary election under the Ohio Rules of Judicial Conduct.

But judicial candidates are permitted to make personal contributions to their campaign committees starting 270 days before the primary.

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