ASHLAND — Ashland County Common Pleas Court Judge Ronald P. Forsthoefel announced Friday he will not seek re-election for a third term in his position.
The judge issued the following press release on Friday afternoon to Ashland Source.
I wish to advise the local bar and community that after much deliberation, I have decided to not seek reelection to a third term as Judge of the Ashland County Common Pleas Court, General and Domestic Relations Divisions. My current term will end on Feb. 8, 2023.
I will be 65 at the conclusion of my current term, and I just do not have the energy, nor the desire to expend the funds necessary to run a contested election campaign. I would seek reelection and continue if unopposed, but with a primary challenger receiving the approval and tacit support of the County Republican Executive Committee Chair, it sends a message that the Ashland County Republican Party Executive Committee would itself like to see someone else in the position. I wish you all well.
I believe I have still have value to the judiciary of Ohio, and I plan to continue serving in a visiting judge capacity to share my knowledge and abilities with other courts throughout the State of Ohio. My staff and I have worked extremely hard to make the
Ashland County Common Pleas Court a more effective steward of taxpayer dollars, as well as more efficient and more accessible to both litigants and counsel. I have also dedicated time to train other judges throughout the State of Ohio to help improve their technology skills and those of their court staffs.
The citizens of Ashland County should be very proud of Ashland’s excellent, well-trained Common Pleas Court staff. I know I am. They are the best court staff in Ohio. I am confident I will be leaving the Court in much better shape than when I arrived.
It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Ashland County. I wish to express my deepest gratitude for having been given the great honor and privilege to hold this office, and for the trust you placed in me to serve as Judge for 12 years. I will finish out the remainder of my current term in a manner that continues to serve the best interests of the citizens of Ashland County. Thank you all.
Sincerely,
Ronald P. Forsthoefel, Judge
Ashland County Common Pleas Court
