WARREN — Trumbull County voters face a choice between a magistrate and a public official with several county positions to represent the Republican party in November’s general election for common pleas court judge.

Mary Ellen Ditchey, a Common Pleas Court magistrate, is running against Devon Stanley, the county’s deputy clerk of courts, a Girard Municipal Court prosecutor and Liberty Township trustee.

Cynthia Westcott, who was the Democratic nominee in 2022 for a common pleas court seat left vacant after Judge Peter Kontos’ early retirement, withdrew her candidacy in February. She plans to retire when her term ends Dec. 31.

Stanley was indicted April 22 on a second-degree felonious assault charge stemming from an October 2025 incident. He made his initial appearance Tuesday morning in front of Judge Thomas A. Tedosio, a retired 9th District Court of Appeals judge.

Stanley expressed plans to follow through with his campaign hours after his court appearance.

The winner of the primary will go against Trumbull County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Becker, an independent who announced Tuesday his plans to run in the upcoming general election. The election is May 5. Early voting began April 7.

DITCHEY

Ditchey, a magistrate under Westcott, has had the position for two years, boasting 15 years of legal experience garnered throughout the state, more recently serving as an associate attorney before joining the court of common pleas.

Ditchey said she’s running to continue being a strong and fair leader, noting her role in presiding over civil stalking protection order hearings as an example of the value of those traits.

“I see how important it is to have someone who’s fair and unbiased and knowledgeable in those positions — there’s only four of those judges in Trumbull County,” Ditchey said. “The reason I moved back to Trumbull County at the end of 2019 was because I wanted to give back to my community.”

Ditchey said her priorities haven’t changed since the start of her campaign, reiterating her desire to be strong and fair and noting the need to be firm to properly convey verdicts.

“I’ve practiced all over the state, and unfortunately, sometimes a judge won’t make the decisions, like that’s your job. The finality of a judge giving an order, writing a judgment entry, giving a sentence — that’s important,” Ditchey said. “That closes out a case for the victims and the defendants, and brings closure to everyone involved.”

Ditchey emphasized the importance of not allowing parties to run the court and take over a case because of that.

“It’s your court, and you have to look out for the best interest of everyone involved — making sure the case is being administered fairly,” Ditchey said.

Ditchey also expressed plans to maintain the women’s therapeutic court docket, which Westcott started in July 2023.

STANLEY

Stanley, a Girard Municipal Court prosecutor and deputy clerk of courts, has 20-plus years of legal experience, operating his own private practice since 2007.

Stanley said the common pleas court judge position is something he’s prepared for, and helps train trial lawyers at the University of Akron as a way of giving back and staying embedded in trial law.

“I’ve been suited for the bench for quite some time, No. 1 because of my training as a trial lawyer,” Stanley said. “The real crucible truth is when you have to get in front of a jury and try a case; most cases are resolved or settled long before there’s a trial.”

In terms of his priorities, Stanley said he hopes to hold everyone in the system accountable — regardless of their position.

“Whether they’re witnesses, whether they’re police officers,” Stanley said. “Everybody in the justice system has to be held to a high standard and be held accountable.”

Stanley said he also wants to allow victims to be seen and heard, noting that a lot of times, their goal is to make sure the defendant doesn’t repeat their actions to another person.

“That’s the same goal society would want, or a judge would want, is to make sure they’re held accountable, but also make sure they don’t commit another crime,” Stanley said. “I would hope to decrease repeat offenders.”

Stanley said he has a “heartfelt passion and focus” on individuals suffering from mental health issues and drug addictions.

“I believe I have some years of experience dealing with similar clients on both as a prosecutor and defense attorney,” StanIey said. “I could make an impact in that area of law and decrease the number of violent offenders.”

Regarding last week’s indictment, Stanley said the truth will prevail and that the “timing speaks for itself.”

“The Dems have successfully fielded two candidates for Common Pleas Judge this cycle: Ditchey and Becker,” Stanley said. “I am the true Republican in this race.”