WARREN — With Probate Court Judge James A. Fredericka unable to seek reelection because of Ohio’s judicial age-limit law, voters will choose his replacement in the May primary between a longtime Central District Court judge and a Trumbull County Common Pleas Court magistrate. Thomas A. Campbell, judge of the Central District Court in Cortland, is running against Shelley Pratt, a Trumbull County Common Pleas Court magistrate serving under Sarah Kovoor.

The election is May 5. Early voting begins today.

CAMPBELL

Campbell has served as judge of the Central District Court for more than 30 years. He was appointed to the position in 1995 by former Ohio Gov. George Voinovich and has since been elected to the court six times.

Campbell has practiced law for 37 years, focusing primarily on business law, estate planning and probate matters.

Campbell said the legal professionals “specifically requested” him to run, noting probate work was a large part of his private practice.

In the Tribune Chronicle candidate questionnaire, Campbell acknowledged Fredericka’s court was well run so he didn’t anticipate drastic changes, but does see opportunities for improvements.

Among them, Campbell said, is upgrading the court’s online docket so users can view images of legal filings rather than only references to the documents. Campbell described the change as a “relatively simple” programming update that would entail minimal effort and cost.

Campbell also said he’d like to establish a “Help Desk / Resource Center” program to assist family members of decedents better understand the probate process and how to possibly handle complicated estates without the expense of hiring an attorney.

PRATT

Pratt, who has served as a magistrate under Kovoor since January, has 27 years of legal experience.

She previously worked for Northeast Ohio Legal Services before joining the Ohio Public Defender’s Office. In 2005, she began working for the Ashtabula County Prosecutor’s Office, handling appeals before the 11th District Court of Appeals and the Ohio Supreme Court.

In her questionnaire, Pratt said she hopes to protect vulnerable individuals within the community, including senior citizens, adults with disabilities and minors.

“This can be achieved through ensuring that court-appointed guardians are acting in the individual’s best interest, promoting adoptions, continuing the court’s current programs assisting veterans and senior citizens, and working with local agencies that serve these individuals,” Pratt said.

Pratt said she also plans to ensure all decisions are made according to state law and that the court is compliant with the guidelines set forth by the Ohio Supreme Court.