GOP to suggest pick after Butler County judge’s death

The Butler County Republican Party will make a recommendation to Ohio Gov. John Kasich on who the party believes should succeed the late Judge Craig Hedric, who died on Nov. 13 in a local hospital after collapsing in his Liberty Twp. home. GREG LYNCH/STAFF

The Butler County Republican Party will make a recommendation to Ohio Gov. John Kasich on who the party believes should succeed the late Judge Craig Hedric, who died on Nov. 13 in a local hospital after collapsing in his Liberty Twp. home. GREG LYNCH/STAFF
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Nov 29, 2016
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The Butler County Republican Party will make a recommendation in two weeks to Ohio Gov. John Kasich on who should replace the late Craig Hedric as a county common pleas judge.

Hedric, 55, died on Sunday, Nov. 13, at a local hospital after he collapsed in his Liberty Twp. home. He was elected to serve as a Butler County Common Pleas judge in November 2006 and re-elected to a second six-year term in November 2012.

The person selected to replace Hedric will need to run for election in November 2018.

Fairfield Municipal Court Judge Joyce Campbell is one of a couple people looking to replace the late Craig Hedric as a Butler County Common Pleas judge. Hedric died at a local hospital in November after collapsing at his Liberty Twp. home. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

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Local attorney Greg Howard is one of a couple people interested in being appointed to replace the late Craig Hedric as judge on the Butler County Common Pleas Court. Hedric died at a local hospital in November after collapsing at his Liberty Twp. home. NICK DAGGY/FILE PHOTO

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County GOP Executive Chairman Todd Hall told the Journal-News there are three people who have expressed interest in the county judge spot: Fairfield Municipal Court Judge Joyce Campbell, local attorney Greg Howard and assistant Butler County prosecutor Brad Burress.

The recommendation will be made by the Butler County Party’s executive committee on Dec. 14 at Tori’s Station in Fairfield, and it will provide the recommendation to Kasich.

All candidates for the judicial seat will be screened by the party’s screening committee on Dec. 13.

The Journal-News has confirmed Campbell’s and Howard’s interest, but a message was left for Burress seeking confirmation. County party officials have said no others at this time have expressed an interest, but believe others may want to be considered for the recommendation for appointment.

Campbell posted on Facebook she’s “looking forward” to her county party screening committee interview on Dec. 13 “for the opportunity to fill the vacant seat on the Butler County Common Pleas Court.” Howard told the Journal-News the opportunity is “bittersweet” because Hedric was a close friend, but he “hope(s) to have the opportunity to serve the citizens of Butler County.”

Retired Montgomery County Judge James A. Brogan was appointed by the Ohio Supreme Court — at the request of the Butler County judges — to hear the cases Hedric was presiding over. Brogan served on the Second District Court of Appeals.

Butler County Assistant Prosecutor Brad Burress is one of a couple people reportedly interested in filling the vacancy on the Butler County Common Please Court following the death of the late Judge Craig Hedric. Hedric died at a local hospital in November after collapsing in his Liberty Twp. home. E.L. HUBBARD/CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

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Those interested  in being in being considered for filling the open Common Pleas judge seat must fill out an application by Dec. 7.

The Butler County Republican Party Executive Committee is accepting applications for recommendation to Common Pleas Judge. Application Submission Requirements are as follows:

  • Resume
  • Background Information form
  • Judicial Candidate questionnaire (16 pages)
  • $250.00 application fee

Candidates may pick up a packet (which includes the background information form and the judicial candidate questionnaire) at Butler County Republican Headquarters, 3431 Princeton Road, Suite 100 in Fairfield Twp. anytime from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The information can also be downloaded from the website: www.butlercountygop.org and returned to Butler County Republican Headquarters.

Qualified candidates must appear before the screening committee on Dec. 13.

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Michael D. Pitman has been a reporter in southwest Ohio since 1999. He's covered local governments in Warren and Butler counties, as well as state and national issues. He currently covers the cities of Fairfield and Hamilton.