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A sitting judge on the Ohio 11th District Court of Appeals is getting a GOP challenge from a Warren attorney in the May 3 primary election.
Sarah Thomas Kovoor of Howland is running in a special election to fill the remaining term of Judge Matt Lynch, who two years ago successfully sought another 11th District judge's seat and vacated his own term. Kovoor will face the Republican judge selected on June 9, 2021, by Gov. Mike DeWine to fill the vacancy -- Judge John Eklund.
Kovoor, 60, was born in Kerala, India. She earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester in 1992 and a law degree from the University of Akron School of Law in 1997.
She said most voters don't realize the role of an appellate court.
"It's a court of review, most of the time you are the final arbiter," she said. Most cases involve criminal and family law, which she said deal with her area of expertise. "I have taken hundreds of trials to verdict. As an appellate court, I would have to rule if the evidence is credible or admissible."
"I have spent 24 years fighting for people's constitutional rights," Kovoor said, noting that case law has been changed because of the things she has fought for.
As an example, Kovoor said she helped to argue a case that changed a sexual harassment law, in which a victim had to previously prove touching by a person of authority to get a conviction.
"I have no problem fighting the establishment," she said.
Kovoor's career experience includes working as an attorney in private practice and as an assistant prosecutor in Trumbull County. She has been affiliated with the Rotary Club, Meals on Wheels and the Trumbull County Republican Women's Club, according to information on a website.
Kovoor, a former assistant prosecutor of Trumbull County, said she has been endorsed by Ohio Buckeye Firearms, Ohio Value Voters, Ohio Right to Life, the Portage County Tea Party, and both Ashtabula County and Geauga County conservation clubs.
"I've been driving around the district meeting with groups, and I think the endorsements are good, but getting out the votes is more important," Kovoor said.
In 2020, she ran against incumbent Judge Cynthia Rice for a seat on the 11th District court but lost.
Kovoor has two children who are also lawyers as well as three grandchildren.
Eklund assumed office on July 1, 2021, and his current term ends on Dec. 31, 2022. He also served in the Ohio Senate, representing District 18 from 2011 through 2020. He was first appointed to the senate seat in November 2011 to replace Timothy Grendell, who at the time left to serve as Geauga County probate judge.
Eklund earned a bachelor's degree in political science and history from Union College and doctorate from Washington and Lee University School of Law. His professional experience includes working as an attorney / partner for Calfee, Halter, and Griswold LLP of Cleveland for almost 42 years. His practice focused on business litigation of all kinds with a concentration in civil and criminal antitrust litigation and counseling.
He currently serves on the board of Lake-Geauga Habitat for Humanity and has served on the boards of Geauga County YMCA, the Chagrin River Land Conservancy, United Way Services of Geauga County (chairman) and the Munson Township Zoning Commission (chairman).
Eklund, 66, lives in Munson Township, Geauga County, with his wife of 44 years, Meg. They have two grown children and seven grandchildren, including two sets of grand-twins.
Eklund in an email told the newspaper his "overarching duty" on the court is to establish, maintain or enhance people's faith in the system of government and judicial system.
"That starts with applying our laws faithfully without regard to personal preferences," he said.
In March, Eklund told a Lake County GOP group that he is reticent to talk about some public policy or "political-bent or social" philosophy and issues.
"One of the most fundamental principles of our system is that a judge doesn't prejudge anything," Ecklund said. "When we rule on cases, we apply the law fairly and responsibly as possible."
The 11th District comprises Trumbull, Geauga, Lake, Ashtabula and Portage counties.
Sarah Kovoor
RESIDENCE: Howland
AGE: 60
BACKGROUND: Private practice attorney, former 11th District candidate, former Trumbull County assistant prosecutor.
QUOTE: "I have spent 24 years fighting for people's constitutional rights."
John Eklund
RESIDENCE: Geauga County (Munson Township)
AGE: 66
BACKGROUND: Sitting 11th District judge, former state senator
QUOTE: "When we rule on cases, we apply the law fairly and responsibly as possible."