Candidate Conversation with Justice Jennifer Brunner | Ohio Supreme Court 2026
What role should the Ohio Supreme Court play when citizen initiatives, ballot language and the powers voters have reserved for themselves end up in court?
In this Taking Initiative: Candidate Conversation, Ohio Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Brunner, a candidate for reelection in 2026, joins Ohio Ballot Protection to discuss direct democracy, judicial independence and the relationship between citizens, lawmakers and the courts.
Brunner draws on her experience as an Ohio Supreme Court justice, appellate and trial court judge, former Ohio Secretary of State and former chair of the Ohio Ballot Board.
We ask about:
• Why she considers initiative and referendum powers reserved to the people
• What happens when citizen initiatives reach the Ohio Supreme Court
• Recent data-center initiative cases
• The importance of ballot language
• What dissenting opinions accomplish
• Partisan labels in judicial elections
• The difference between initiatives, referenda and initiated legislation
• The role of the rule of law in maintaining public trust
Candidate Conversations is a special voter-education series from Ohio Ballot Protection. We talk with candidates for public office about citizen participation, direct democracy and the balance of power between voters and their elected representatives.
These conversations do not constitute an endorsement by Ohio Ballot Protection.
Learn more about Ohio’s initiative and referendum powers: https://ohioballotprotection.com/ (https://ohioballotprotection.com/)
Taking Initiative Podcast: / @ohioballotprotection (https://www.youtube.com/@OhioBallotProtection)
Music licensed through Soundstripe.
Code: 9QDFKWIT23ATMACP
1 Oct 2026
Spotlight: Another trip to the Statehouse
What happens when citizens ask lawmakers to pause mega data center development—and hear “absolutely not”?
In this Taking Initiative Spotlight, Conserve Ohio’s Nikki Gerber joins Ohio Ballot Protection’s Laura Lucarelli to recount her September 30 Statehouse visit, efforts to secure a moratorium, and frustration over being sent between local and state officials. It’s a candid look at the obstacles citizen organizers face when seeking protections for their communities.
🎙️ Spotlight on an Initiative (Ban Mega Data Centers OH Initiative | Ohio Ballot Protection (https://ohioballotprotection.com/ban-mega-data-centers-oh-initiative)) follows citizen-led efforts through the process: the progress, the setbacks and what organizers learn along the way.
Learn more about Ohio’s initiative and referendum powers: https://ohioballotprotection.com/ (https://ohioballotprotection.com/)
Taking Initiative Podcast: / @ohioballotprotection (https://www.youtube.com/@OhioBallotProtection)
29 Sept 2026
The Power Is Ours: How Ohio Won Direct Democracy | Mike Curtin (S2 Ep4)
How did Ohioans gain the power to bypass their elected representatives and take issues directly to the ballot?
Journalist, former state legislator and Ohio historian Mike Curtin joins Taking Initiative to take us back to 1912 — a pivotal year when Ohio embraced the initiative and referendum and gave citizens powerful tools to check their government.
Curtin brings a rare perspective to the conversation. After 38 years in journalism covering government and politics, he crossed from the press gallery into the Ohio Statehouse as a legislator. Now he writes and speaks about Ohio history, public policy and the continuing importance of an informed citizenry.
We explore Teddy Roosevelt's role in Ohio's direct-democracy story, the “Fourth Estate,” the balance between representative and direct democracy, the importance of civics education — and why Curtin believes democracy is always a work in progress.
🎙️ Taking Initiative is a podcast from Ohio Ballot Protection about the people putting the power of direct democracy into action.
Learn more about Ohio’s initiative and referendum powers: https://ohioballotprotection.com/ (https://ohioballotprotection.com/)
Taking Initiative Podcast: / @ohioballotprotection (https://www.youtube.com/@OhioBallotProtection)
Music licensed through Soundstripe.
Code: 36SSQSCSLQ4UUJGF, RNSRCNQAPVPWTLHD
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Contact Taking Initiative
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Taking Initiative?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
