Gwen Rummell Reporting –
Seven republican candidates are looking to fill three open offices for the Court of Appeals 5th District.
Aletha Carver, Jeff Furr, and Robert Montgomery are running for the term commencing February 9th, 2025.
Carver says she believes she would be a great fit for the position as she has already worked for the 5th District Court of Appeals.
“I started working for the 5th District Court of Appeals as a young attorney in 1995 and I spent 12 years with Judge John Wise at the 5th District Court of Appeals as his staff attorney. I’m currently working as the mediation attorney and I knew this was the area of the law that interests me the most.”
Furr notes his education and practice experience for the reason he should be elected.
“I graduated from law school with honors at Capital University working at night, but now I’m in taxation. I joined the Army National Guard and it helped put me through my undergrad at The Ohio State University where I got a Bachelor of Science in Computer and Informational Science. I have been practicing for over 30 years. I’ve argued one step below the US Supreme Court.
Dixie Park and Kevin Popham are competing for the term commencing February 10th, 2025.
Park says her qualifications stem from her experiences in multiple courts.
“I’m currently serving as a probate judge in Stark County and it’s my 20th year. Prior to that, I also served as a magistrate in the general division of the common pleas court. I was at the common pleas court for about 10 years. I’ve also served as an acting judge in the Alliance municipal court as well as an assisting prosecutor. I have also handled cases in family court.”
Popham says his time working in the attorney general’s office and private practice make him a good candidate for the position.
“Following law school, I served at the court of claims of Ohio as both the staff attorney and magistrate. I spent some time working at the attorney general’s office as an assistant attorney general. I then spent 15 years in private practice defending physicians, nurses, and healthcare facilities in medical malpractice lawsuits.”
Incumbent Patricia Delaney is challenged by David Gormley for the term commencing February 11th, 2025.
Gormley says his qualifications for the office come from his time spent working as a lawyer and judge.
“I went to Harvard Law School. I’ve been a lawyer for more than 30 years. I have 16+ years of experience as a trial court judge. I served first on a municipal court. I’m now a judge in the general division of a court of common pleas in Delaware County.
The other two republicans, Robert Montgomery and Patricia Delaney, did not return interview requests.
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