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WARREN -- Two Republicans are vying for a seat on Ohio's 11th District Court of Appeals.
Colleen O'Toole of the city of Ashtabula and Scott Lynch of Huntsburg Township are both seeking the nomination. No Democrats filed for the seat.
Lynch, 38, previously served on Euclid City Council from 2011 through 2013. He currently serves as the solicitor of Aquilla Village, a position he has held since 2022.
He owns a private law firm, Lynch & Lynch Law, LLC, in Chardon.
Lynch said he is endorsed by the Ashtabula Republican Party and Right to Life Action. As judge, he said he wants to stand for conservative values.
"There is a generational shift happening in our nation where these values are more important now than ever, and I will be honored to stand for constitutional conservative values as judge," he said.
Lynch also said he wants to contribute to the "protection of liberty," at the 11th District Court of Appeals.
"I believe my relative youth and publicly endorsed commitment to conservative values will be an asset for the protection of liberty on the 11th District Court both now and for years to come," Lynch said.
Lynch also said he wants to promote faith in the judiciary, saying he aspires to be a model of "servant leadership"
"As a father of three young children, a husband, and the owner of a thriving law practice, I understand how alarming are some of the changes we have seen in our country - particularly in regard to our children," Lynch said. "I understand what is at stake, and I have been publicly endorsed by groups which stand for conservative values. As judge, I will dedicate my heart, mind, soul, and strength to protect and uphold the constitution and rule of law that make America great."
O'TOOLE
O'Toole, 63, currently serves as the prosecutor for Ashtabula County. She previously served as a judge on the 11th District Court of Appeals from 2005 to 2011 and from 2013 to 2019.
"Judges are essential to the rule of law and maintaining access to justice. A fair, impartial, and accountable justice system is the seminal cornerstone of a sustainable democracy," O'Toole said.
According to O'Toole's campaign website, while serving as Ashtabula prosecutor, she has "led the effort to pay off lodge debt, eliminated court backlog, expedited cases, modernized the prosecutor's office, held judges accountable for their lack of proper case management and initiated proactive best practices on victim services and evidence-based solutions."
O'Toole said one of her top priorities is to establish an effective, efficient, transparent and accountable justice system.
"My entire legal career as a prosecutor and a judge has been dedicated to preserving this country's core values, as identified by our founding fathers," she said. "This is the best way I can serve my country, our constitution, and the rule of law."
The 11th District Court of Appeals covers Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, Portage and Trumbull counties.
Ohio's 11th
District Court
of Appeals
Republican primary
Scott Lynch
AGE: 38
GOALS: Stand for conservative values; contribute to the protection of liberty; promote faith in the judiciary
PREVIOUSLY HELD ELECTED OFFICE: Euclid City Council from 2011 through 2013
Colleen O'Toole
AGE: 63
GOALS: Establish an effective, efficient, transparent and accountable justice system
PREVIOUSLY HELD ELECTED OFFICE: 11th District Court of Appeals from 2005 to 2011 and from 2013 to 2019; Ashtabula County Auditor since 2020