WARREN — As Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge Andrew Logan leaves behind a judicial seat, two Democratic candidates are vying to be their party’s candidate to try to fill that role.

Christopher D. Becker of Champion has worked at the prosecutor’s office since December 2000 and has served as first assistant prosecutor since 2010.

Thomas R. Wright of Howland spent 12 years as a member of the 11th District Court of Appeals before losing reelection in 2022. Wright boasts 32 years of civil and criminal law experience, having been trial lawyer for more than a decade before becoming an appellate judge.

Republican Sarah Thomas Kovoor of Howland is running uncontested in the March 19 primary and will face the Democratic winner in November.

Because of the state’s age limit for judges, Logan can’t run for reelection, taking 29 years of judicial service in the halls of the historic common pleas courthouse with him.

Logan will join former Judge Peter J. Kontos and Judge W. Wyatt McKay in retirement, which Becker said means losing a combined 70-plus years of judicial trial experience — a motivating factor for him to run. Becker has 34 years of experience trying cases in common pleas courts in Trumbull and Jefferson counties, with 24 of those years spent in Trumbull County courtrooms.

“I have the experience, demeanor and knowledge to continue the legacy that these fine judges have left,” Becker said, vowing to protect the public and families of Trumbull county while remaining, “fair and impartial.”

Becker weighs that experience against his opponent’s 12 years of experience as an appellate judge.

“A trial judge has to make decisions almost instantly. You’ve got 12 jurors, witnesses, victims but when you’re an appellate judge, you hear so many cases, you’ve got as much time as you want to work one day a week maybe and hear oral arguments, then you can work remotely,” Becker said.

The first assistant prosecutor also boasts an endorsement from the Trumbull County Bar Association.

Wright has spent 20 of his 32 years in law in the courtroom, trying both civil and criminal cases.

In his role as an attorney, Wright said he has worked on a multitude of cases, from medical malpractice, liability, criminal and civil matters, which has prepared him for “all of the things” that happen in the trial court.

“I’ve spent my entire time in practice doing and preparing myself for (this),” the former 11th District Court judge said.

As an appellate judge, Wright estimates having participated in decision making for more than 3,000 cases. Wright described the crucial role he played in clarifying and pronouncing the law for common pleas judges to follow.

Wright’s dedication to upholding the law and ensuring a fair judicial system has not gone unnoticed, with The Plain Dealer / Cleveland.com once describing him as widely respected, well-seasoned, and in-command. His efforts saw him be awarded the Mahoning County Lawyer of the Year in 2005-06.

Wright said his background shows his familiarity to, “recurring issues that I would have as a common pleas judge,” Wright said. “I’ve sat on the Supreme Court of Ohio by assignment of the chief justice so my background is that I’ve sat at all three judicial levels. My opponent doesn’t have any judicial experience.”

To quote late United States Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Conner, Wright said, “There’s no substitute for experience and knowledge when it comes to decision-making.”

The two diverge on what their levels of experience will bring to the judicial seat, but they were in agreement with the importance of continuing specialized dockets, including maintaining Logan’s drug court program.

Since the early 2000s, Logan has presided over the program designed to help individuals struggling with substance abuse issues. Instead of focusing solely on punishment, the drug courts take treatment, support and rehabilitation as priority over incarceration.

The collaborative effort would see either candidate working closely with prosecutors, defense attorneys, treatment providers among other professions — addressing the root causes of addiction, reducing recidivism and promoting a pathway towards long-term recovery.

Wright and Becker applauded the docket and other specialized dockets the court also administers.

“The drug court is a great court and for those who qualify it can get them better. rehabilitated, better prepared to face life after their cases behind them. And I wholeheartedly support all of those specialized courts that you mentioned,” Wright said. “It’s what you want is to adequately rehabilitate folks and hopefully not see them again.”

Becker said, “Without any exaggeration, his (Logan) drug court can save people’s lives. I know for a fact that I’ve actually talked to a few individuals that have said, ‘Without the drug court, I would have been dead.’ Now is every person that goes to that court a success? No, there’s been some failures there. But the fact is he’s been able to save dozens and maybe hundreds of lives.”

Building off the success of those programs, Becker said he’d offer opportunities to the general public to build a better understanding of the court and criminal justice system.

“I would love to have the opportunity to present occasional civic-type question-and-answer sessions to the public. This could easily be presented at little or no cost on a quarterly or twice-a-year basis. Locations could be either at local high schools, libraries or even at the courthouse,” Becker said.