The Full Read · Article by Article
Sara Elizabeth Lioi
Northern District of Ohio · appt. Bush
7/7
🥇 Fit for the Bench
1Ethics & Recusalcritical
72%★ earned
“No man is allowed to be a judge in his own cause.” — Madison, Federalist No. 10
No documented ethics finding, gift issue, or recusal failure; served as chief judge without recorded lapse.
2Fidelity to Democracycritical
74%★ earned
“…a government of laws, and not of men.” — Marshall, Marbury v. Madison
Record shows routine fidelity to precedent and higher-court rulings; no documented defiance.
3Judicial Temperament
72%★ earned
“Justice must satisfy the appearance of justice.” — Frankfurter
No documented complaints about civility toward litigants, counsel, or colleagues.
4Reason, Not Ideology
72%★ earned
“We are not final because we are infallible…” — Robert H. Jackson
Rulings appear case-specific and legally grounded; no documented ideological pattern.
5Intellectual Honesty & Precedent
72%★ earned
“…to stand by things decided.” (stare decisis) — the common-law maxim
No documented misuse of precedent or record; ordinary public profile.
6Independence from Party
71%★ earned
“The complete independence of the courts of justice is peculiarly essential.” — Hamilton, Federalist No. 78
George W. Bush appointee with no documented partisan behavior; scored party-blind.
7Personal Integrity
74%★ earned
“The time is always right to do what is right.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
No documented scandal, criminal matter, or financial impropriety in the public record.
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Scores are Independent 2026’s own editorial read against the Seven Articles — ≥60% earns the star. The first two Articles are critical: fail Ethics & Recusal or Fidelity to Democracy and there is no seal, whatever else holds. Each Article carries its founding quote as the yardstick. On bias →