'Like' of Paul Pelosi conspiracy tweet raises questions for Ohio Supreme Court Justice
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — An Ohio Supreme Court Justice is facing questions after "liking" a tweet from a Florida lawmaker promoting conspiracy theories about the attack on Paul Pelosi last week, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
A spokesman for Justice Pat DeWine said the justice “inadvertently” clicked “like” on the tweet from Florida Rep. Anthony Sabatini, which asked, “what are they hiding.”
Ryan Stubenrauch said DeWine removed the “like” as soon as it was brought to his attention.
Stubenrauch said DeWine condemns the attack on Pelosi and does not believe in conspiracy theories related to the attack.
“Justice DeWine’s sole opinion and knowledge on this entire situation is that any attack on an elected official, especially Speaker Pelosi’s husband is terrible,” he said. “It’s a crime if the facts are true.”
Advocacy groups are questioning DeWine’s “like” of the tweet.
“Anytime a judicial candidate actually likes or retweets conspiracy theories, it doesn't cast the courts in a favorable light,” Catherine Turcer of Ohio Common Cause said.
DeWine is running for another term on Ohio’s high court. Turcer said she is worried that the race for Supreme Court is getting lost for most voters.
“We're paying attention to the gubernatorial race we're thinking about who's going to win for US Senate, but the Ohio Supreme Court is incredibly important,” she said. The court will likely face issues with redistricting, abortion, and utility issues in it’s next term.
Justice DeWine is the son of Gov. Mike DeWine. The governor’s office wouldn’t comment on the flap, calling it a stunt. Stubenrauch agrees with that assessment.
“It is silly season here,” he said.
