Nick Kuntz’s death: How a new judge could be selected

Montgomery County Juvenile Court Judge Nick Kuntz

Montgomery County Juvenile Court Judge Nick Kuntz

Ohio Gov. John Kasich may select a judge to serve out the remaining months of the term of Montgomery County Juvenile Court Judge Nick Kuntz.

Fellow juvenile court Judge Anthony Capizzi said Kuntz died this past weekend after suffering a massive stroke while on vacation in North Carolina.

RELATED: Kuntz a ‘dedicated and respected judge’

Mark Owens, Montgomery County Democratic Party chairman, said Kasich could appoint someone to finish out Judge Kuntz’s term. Kuntz, who was first elected in 1994 after serving as juvenile court administrator, was term limited and was to retire in December.

Owens said he didn’t know the timetable of when Kuntz will be replaced. Owens said Kasich, a Republican, may appoint whoever wins today’s primary.

RELATED: 2 Republicans in primary answer questions about the job

Jeff Rezabek and C. Ralph Wilcoxson II are running against each other to be the Republican candidate. The winner will face Democrat Helen Wallace and any other candidates in November’s general election.

Kasich’s press secretary said Tuesday morning that he was checking into the process to replace Kuntz.

MORE: Read other stories from Mark Gokavi

Capizzi said Tuesday that juvenile court won’t be affected and that he already had an emergency meeting with magistrates to delegate cases.

“We’ll come together as an organization,” Capizzi said. “We can manage the docket through the (November) election. Or, if the governor decides to appoint someone early, that’s fine.

“The rest of the team that’s here, we’re going to do that much more work to make sure Judge Kuntz’s legacy is maintained.”

SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow Mark Gokavi on Twitter or Facebook

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE MOBILE APP

About the Author