(Columbus) - Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced today that retired state Supreme Court Justice Terrence O’Donnell will serve as interim chair of the newly formed Ohio Election Integrity Commission, which formally replaces the Ohio Elections Commission on January 1, 2026.
Justice O’Donnell has agreed to serve on the commission for its first 90 days, at which time he will resign from the seat.
“Justice O’Donnell is one of the most respected jurists and legal minds in Ohio, and I’m honored that he's agreed to give of his time in retirement to continue serving our state in this interim capacity,” said Secretary LaRose. “As one of the longest-serving justices in the history of the Ohio Supreme Court, Terrence has earned an impeccable reputation for integrity and professionalism. His experience will help immediately restore the commission’s credibility, as he leads its formative days.”
O’Donnell began his judicial career in 1980 on the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, the busiest trial court in Ohio. He served for 14 years until his election to the Eighth District Court of Appeals in 1994, where he served for eight years. He was appointed to the Ohio Supreme Court in 2003 and then elected to the Court in 2004 and re-elected in 2006 and 2012. He retired from full-time public service in 2018.
Justice O’Donnell will serve as interim chair of the commission until the newly enacted Senate Bill 293 becomes law, at which time Secretary LaRose will appoint D. Michael Crites to serve as chair for the remainder of the term. Crites cannot serve on the commission until the law becomes effective in March, removing a narrow and unnecessary restriction that prohibits the appointment of individuals who serve on another board or commission.
Crites, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and Vietnam War veteran, retired as a Captain in the United States Navy. He served as United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio under two presidential administrations. His private sector legal career specialized in white collar crime and business litigation, and he retired as a litigation partner with Dinsmore & Shohl LLP. He previously served as chair of the Ohio Elections Commission and continues to be very active in public service since his retirement, including chairing the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame executive committee and serving as a member of numerous state and local veterans services advisory boards.
Three other members of the Ohio Election Integrity Commission have been appointed so far, including Karl Kerschner, Representative of the Senate President; John Lyall, Representative of the House Minority Leader; and Eben (Sandy) O. McNair, IV, Representative of the Senate Minority Leader. An appointment by the Speaker of the House is pending.
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