Ohio governor's race: Democrat opposes abortion, says he is 'pro-life'

COLUMBUS - Candidate for governor Bill O'Neill, a former Ohio Supreme Court justice, says he opposes abortion – an unlikely position for a Democrat.

O'Neill is the same candidate who bragged about his sexual past in a Facebook post – an apparent defense of then-U.S. Sen. Al Franken, who was accused of sexually harassing a woman.

The former justice has taken other contrary stances: boycotting the Cleveland Browns for not standing during the national anthem and pushing for legalized marijuana in Ohio.

O’Neill, a practicing Catholic, told The Enquirer his faith informs everything he does. As an abortion opponent, O'Neill said the best options for the women of Ohio are education, contraception and adoption.

He declined to discuss specific bills about abortion, such as a proposal to cremate or bury fetal remains or the so-called "heartbeat bill."

“I can’t say I’m supporting anything the Legislature does. I simply do not trust them,” O'Neill said. He promised to follow federal law.

In fundraising, O'Neill is appealing to the Catholic vote and pro-marijuana vote. Together, he said, those voters will help him win the primary.

O'Neill will face several other Democrats in the May 8 primary for governor, including former attorney general Rich Cordray, former Cleveland mayor and congressman Dennis Kucinich and state Sen. Joe Schiavoni. All three now support abortion rights, but before running for president in 2004, Kucinich had voted against abortion.

In Ohio, Republicans have generally opposed abortion while Democrats have largely supported a woman's right to obtain one. There are exceptions: Rep. Bill Patmon, a Cleveland-area Democrat, frequently supports restrictions on abortions. Former state Rep. Denise Driehaus, a practicing Catholic from Clifton, voted for a ban on abortions after 20 weeks.

Columbus Bureau Chief Chrissie Thompson contributed.



