Democrats scored one historic victory on election day. Their candidate for state Supreme Court became the first African American woman to win election as a justice.
Melody Stewart from Cleveland defeated incumbent Mary DeGenaro from the Youngstown area, who was appointed to the position earlier this year.
Stewart, who has served as a judge on the Eighth District Court of Appeals, knew it would be an uphill battle.
“I knew that our history as a party wasn’t good with getting seats on the Ohio Supreme Court. I knew it would be additionally difficult for being a woman of color.”
She credited her victory to hard work.
Democrat Michael Donnelly also won a spot on the court. He'll replace Terrence O’Donnell, who is stepping down due to age limits.
Currently, all seven Supreme Court seats belong to Republicans.