COLUMBUS — Republican Maureen O'Connor said Thursday she will disavow any attempt by outside groups or individuals to act on behalf of her campaign for the Ohio Supreme Court.

        Ms. O'Connor said she will dissociate herself from any activities to promote her candidacy or attack Democrat Tim Black, her opponent in the Nov. 5 election.

        In 2000, a group formed by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and backed by anonymous donors spent $4 million on a campaign against Democratic Justice Alice Robie Resnick.

        The ads, paid for by Citizens for a Strong Ohio, criticized Justice Resnick for her votes on workers compensation issues and one to overturn an Ohio law that limited the amount of money plaintiffs could collect in lawsuits.

        Democrats and Republicans alike blasted the ads. Justice Resnick's opponent, Republican Terrence O'Donnell, did not authorize the ads. Many people in both parties said voter backlash helped Justice Resnick achieve a 14-percentage-point victory.

        Ms. O'Connor, who said she did not take part in raising money for Citizens for a Strong Ohio, said people not associated with her campaign committee, political parties and political action committees should stay out of the race.

        “It's just common sense. You're responsible for your campaign,” said Ms. O'Connor, Ohio's lieutenant governor. “I would probably challenge all judicial candidates to do this.”

        Mr. Black, a Cincinnati municipal judge who lost a close election to Republican Justice Deborah Cook in 2000, reacted with caution to Ms. O'Connor's pledge and said it should be more specific. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce ran ads critical of Mr. Black two years ago.

Hateful words flew before bullets struck
Jazz great Marsalis bails out of concert
Duke enters race for upscale retail
New Ruby eatery to recall city's 'vivid past'
11 students charged in fake ID case
Neighborhoods hear promises
New tobacco fight begins
Ringer sentenced to 21 years
Tristate A.M. Report
Holy cow
Some Good News
No ending here
Ohio's fish
Class action disputed
Commission pressed on hospital
Fabric artifacts trigger memories
Six more file to run for Butler judge
1800s house up for listing
Show choirs take stage in Fairfield
Court candidate to shun outside help
Sales tax hiatus won't happen soon, Finan says
Traficant's idiosyncrasies raise eyebrows in court
A hard look at rave drugs
Exemptions proposed for slots
Kentucky News Briefs
Lynn, Clooney honored for careers
No evidence of accelerant found in horse barn fire
Planning commissions would get say on cell towers, under new bill
Refresh your severe-weather IQ this month
School funding coalition may grow
Subdivision gates close on outsiders
Young official joins McConnell campaign