By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Wood County Commissioner Joel Kuhlman has turned in an application for judge in the Sixth District Court of Appeals, sending more local candidates scrambling for seats.
Kuhlman didn’t think much of it when some of his Wood County supporters approached him about filing for the ballot spot vacated when Court of Appeals Judge Jack Puffenberger withdrew his name on June 3. Kuhlman chalked it up to his local constituents being supportive.
But then the push came from people outside Wood County, including encouragement from Lucas County’s handpicked candidate for the seat who declined the offer. So Kuhlman started taking a second look.
“I’ve been struggling with it for the last couple days,” said Kuhlman, the lone Democrat on the county commissioner board. “I really like being a commissioner.”
But after debating, he decided to take the chance.
“I’m going to go for it,” he said Friday afternoon.
Kuhlman’s decision has started a game of political musical chairs with potential candidates eyeing empty seats.
“It’s a complicated mess right now,” said Mike Zickar, head of the Wood County Democratic Party.
That’s because earlier in the week, Republican Tim Brown announced he was giving up his state representative position to take the top spot with the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments.
“It’s like playing multiple games of chess right now,” Zickar said.
Here’s why: Kuhlman is facing off with Republican Ted Bowlus right now for county commissioner. If Kuhlman is selected by the Sixth District’s eight central committee leaders for the court ballot, he has to give up his spot on the county commissioner ballot.
That leaves a big opening for Democrats interested in running for county commissioner. The replacement for the ballot will be chosen by the Wood County Democratic Party, but will not serve unless elected, since Kuhlman will remain in the commissioner seat till the term expires in January.
Meanwhile, both parties are eyeing the empty seat being vacated by Brown leaving for TMACOG.
“I have not heard from anyone,” Brown said about potential candidates on Thursday. “I’m sure there will be a lot of people thinking about it. This area is rich with talent.”
The Republican Party Caucus of the state legislature will pick Brown’s replacement, according to Terry Burton, director of the Wood County Board of Elections. “It’s wholly in their hands,” he said. That person will fill out Brown’s term till the end of 2016, but it’s up to the Wood County Republican Central Committee to pick a person to go on the November ballot. That choice must be made by the filing deadline of Aug. 15.
“Is it likely to be the same person? One would think if there is good communication, it will be,” Burton said.
Brown’s departure may also lead to a game of Twister in the Democratic party. Dave Walters, of Bowling Green, is currently the Democrat running for the House seat. However, there is some talk that he filed as a place holder to make sure the Dems would have a candidate on the fall ballot.
“Any candidate for any office, elected in the primary, if they withdraw, the party has the right to replace them,” Burton explained.
Zickar said local Democrats are looking closer at the candidate position for the House since Brown’s decision to step down and Donald Trump’s move to the top of the Republican ticket.
“We have some people looking at that race,” if Walters steps down, Zickar said. “Things have really changed since the primary filing deadline.”
Back to Kuhlman’s race, Zickar said at least five people are vying for the judge seat so far. He expected a replacement for the ballot would be named in mid to late July.
The Sixth District Court of Appeals, located in Toledo, is comprised of Erie, Fulton, Huron, Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, Williams and Wood counties. The court hears appeals from cases arising in the courts of common pleas, county district courts, and municipal courts within the Sixth District.
All the current judges serving the court are from Lucas County, Kuhlman said.
“I feel strongly that Wood County should be represented,” he said.
Kuhlman was first selected for the county commissioner seat in February of 2012, when Alvie Perkins retired from office. If Kuhlman is not chosen to appear on the court of appeals ballot, his name will remain on the ballot for Wood County commissioner.
“If I don’t get the nomination, I am still going to be really happy to be a commissioner,” Kuhlman said.
If he does get the nomination for the court seat, and wins the election in November, Kuhlman said he would still be involved in decisions that would have local impact.
“I would still get the opportunity to serve Wood County, which is what I really want to do,” he said of the court of appeals seat. “I do think there is a legitimate impact a person can make that can affect the region.”
The office of county commissioner requires re-election every four years, and pays about $65,500 annually. The court of appeals position is up for election every six years, and pays at least double the commissioner salary.
