Twelfth District Court of Appeals

The Butler County GOP Central Committee will have a real humdinger of a choice to make for the 12th District Court of Appeals when they endorse a candidate this week. The choice is between two super-qualified candidates in Greg Pratt and Bob Hendrickson.

Greg Pratt

Partner, Managing Partner, or Sole Partner of a private practice since 1978.

Elected by peers as "Ohio Super Lawyer" - limited to 5% of Ohio lawyers.

Member - Litigation Council of America (only 2% of attorneys attain this honor).

Middletown Commissioner : 1981 - 1985

Lifelong Butler County Republican

The resignation of a sitting Judge will allow Democrat Governor Ted Strickland to appoint a replacement. The last time this happened, Democrat Judge Mark Conese reigned over his courtroom for six years.

Robert Hendrickson

County Court Judge with the highest overall caseload of any County Court Judge in Ohio (over 14,000 cases in 2006)

Highest DUI caseload among 47 County Court Judges in Ohio.

2nd highest felony and traffic caseload among 47 County Court Judges.

Heard over 3,000 felony bond arraignments and preliminary hearings.

Heard over 12,000 criminal misdemeanor cases.

Heard over 3,500 DUI cases.

Heard over 60,000 traffic cases.

Traffic Magistrate and Acting Warrant Officer, Hamilton Municipal Court

Acting Prosecutor, Hamilton and Middletown Municipal Courts

Private Practice - Over 22 years experience.

Where Do I Stand?

These guys are both very qualified for the job, so it comes down to politics. The most compelling argument I have seen in this race, is that if Bob Hendrickson steps down from the Area III judgeship in order to run for Court of Appeals then Strickland gets to appoint a Democrat to the bench.

Handing over seats to our political rivals is not the best way for Republicans to do business. Unless someone can give me a reason not to support Pratt, he gets my support even though my favorite sheriff -- Rick Jones -- and County Prosecutor Robin Piper is supporting Hendrickson.

Once you eliminate the qualifications and competence arguments, this is about keeping Republicans in elected seats...