The first time I heard Jennifer O’Donnell speak was at a Lakewood Democrats Club meeting. She gave her stump speech as a candidate for Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, and as she spoke I thought to myself, “She doesn’t sound like a politician.”
It struck me that she spoke of the job of Common Pleas Court Judge as a responsibility — not as something that is owed to her. It comforted me to hear a candidate speak bluntly about the issues at the county jail with urgency. It inspired me to hear a public defender drop the prosecutorial rhetoric that emphasizes “toughness on crime.” Rather, Jennifer amplifies the crucial need for reform in our criminal justice system. She would be the only former public defender on the bench with 33 other judges, which speaks to how crucial her voice would be.
Jennifer is compassionate, thoughtful, specific and serious.
It’s fair to say that we don’t know when or if we will be able to vote, but for those who planned to vote on March 17th and were unable, let’s hope we get the chance to vote for Jennifer O’Donnell. Candidates like her do not come around often.
[Written by Jenna Thomas]
