MANSFIELD — Richland County Probate Court judge candidate Joe Jerger criticized his opponent’s lack of probate court experience on Wednesday.
“I am the only candidate who has practiced in the probate court. I have over 3,600 appearances in that court. My opponent has zero,” the 55-year-old Jerger said during a speech at the weekly Democratic Party luncheon
“Why is that important? My opponent touts her experience as a magistrate in domestic relations court. While that that is important, learning what the judge does, it’s only a small part of being a judge.
“You have to have a vast knowledge of the laws. You have to have a vast knowledge of the case types in order to be an effective judge,” Jerger said.
On Tuesday, Democratic voters will choose either Jerger or Kirsten Pscholka-Gartner to run against unopposed Republican candidate Kelly Baldnell in November.
In her speech during the same party luncheon last week, Pscholka-Gartner said her nine years of experience as a domestic relations court magistrate have prepared her to be the next probate court judge.
Current Probate Court Judge Philip Alan B. Mayer is retiring at the end of this term because Ohio law prevents a common pleas judge from beginning a new term after age 70.
Jerger, a graduate of Ontario High School and Ohio Northern University, said he has practiced in probate court for three decades, including cases involving guardianship, estate administration, wrongful death actions, minor settlements, adoptions and name changes.
Jerger said has also represented the Richland County Board of Mental Health and Richland County board of Developmental Disabilities during civil commitment hearings for the mentally ill.
He said Ohio law assigns more than 600 duties to a county probate court.
“To give you a comparison, domestic relations court is only charged with about 50 duties that that they are mandated to do. As you can see, probate court has a lot more responsibility,” Jerger said.
“You can’t go and take a couple of online courses about probate court and expect to be able to thrive in that court,” he said. “I’m not taking courses on probate court. I’m teaching them.
“My experience in that court that I am running for and my dedication for almost 30 years to probate practice and my compassion for the most vulnerable citizens of Richland County make me the most qualified for Richland County Probate Court judge,” Jerger said.
