2/26/2004

Portage judges compete based on experience

Matthew Schomer
Daily Kent Stater

Two candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for the Portage County Common Pleas Court judgeship claim different types of legal experience are essential to the position.

One is former State Senator Leigh Herington, who said he believes his combined experience as a legislator and a lawyer will best serve the county.

The other is Ravenna Municipal Court Judge Laurie Pittman, who said she believes actual experience behind the bench is what the county needs.

“I’ve been in the courtroom,” she said. “I’ve been in every facet of the court system.”

No Republican filed to run for the seat. Barring an unlikely challenge from an independent candidate, the winner of this race will be unopposed in the November general election.

Pittman is in her seventh year serving as a municipal court judge and was an attorney for 11 years prior to that. She attended Ohio Northern law school and graduated from Ravenna High School.

Herington said his experience in the state legislature would serve him well as a judge because he has “had the opportunity to live the law on the other side.”

Having made laws in the state senate from 1995 to 2003, Herington claims he has a more well-rounded understanding of the legal system.

Herington also has been a practicing attorney for 27 years, which, he pointed out, is longer than Pittman’s legal career. He holds two degrees from Kent State and one from the University of Akron.

“We’re the only campaign in this election that has 27 years of experience in the courts,” he said.

Pittman claimed her in-court experience would serve the common pleas court better than Herington’s out-of-court experience.

“I believe the training you receive in municipal court is invaluable in common pleas court,” she said. “There’s no way to run a jury trial unless you’ve actually experienced one.”

Herington admitted much of his work as an attorney deals with “negotiations, mediations and arbitrations,” but he said an increasing number of cases end through negotiations. That makes his out-of-court experience relevant, he said.

Pittman also said she doesn’t believe county residents appreciated allegations made that her campaign signs carry an illegal slogan.

Last month, County Commissioner Chuck Keiper complained to the Ohio Board of Commissioners on grievances that a slogan on Pittman’s signs was leading people to believe she is the current common pleas judge and is running for reelection. The slogan reads “Elect Laurie J. Pittman, an experienced judge.”

A law prohibits judges running to use the word “judge” on a campaign sign if they are seeking a different judgeship.

Keiper also is Herington’s campaign manager.

Pittman said voters do not want to deal with an overly politicized race.

“I plan on keeping it focused,” she said. She added that the focus she puts on running a clean campaign will help her win the primary.

Herington said the county voters’ history of supporting him gives him confidence he will win the primary.

E-mail: mschomer@kent.edu