Experience, party affiliation and innovation are the key issues in the race for a seat on the Athens County Court of Common Pleas.
Incumbent Judge Michael Ward said that his experience is better suited for the common pleas court judge position while challenger Robert Shostak said his diverse experience makes him a more qualified candidate.
If you look at [Shostak's] Web site
you can see his experience is primarily in environmental law Ward said. That sounds all well and good but again
we're talking about his specialization
and that has nothing to do with the Athens County Common Pleas Court.
Shostak disputed the claim that his experience is overly specialized and said his experience is much greater and more diverse than Ward's.
I do have an emphasis in environmental law. [But] when I moved to Athens in 1988
that area of emphasis was significantly reduced
Shostak said.
Shostak currently serves as an attorney in his own private practice, in addition to teaching environmental law at Ohio University. Before relocating to Athens, Shostak worked for private practices in three different states. Shostak also has published numerous scholarly articles and has given lectures in Czechoslovakia, Ukraine, Poland and Hungary.
Ward has served as the Athens County common pleas court judge for 12 years. Before that, Ward served as the Athens County prosecuting attorney for 11 and a half years and taught real estate law at OU.
In addition to disagreements about experience, the candidates hold opposing views on what role party affiliation should play in a judicial race. Ward, who ran in the Republican primary, said political affiliation in court has no relevance whatsoever. Shostak openly identifies himself as a Democrat.
When I'm on the bench
my political affiliation will have nothing to do with my decision making
but while I'm a judicial candidate
I think the voters have a right to know who I am and what I stand for
said Shostak, who is endorsed by the Athens County Democratic Party.
Ward, who is not endorsed by either party, said people should elect a judge based on proven
