SUPREME COURT DECISION

SUPREME COURT DECISION

Quotes

Some excerpts from the state Supreme Court’s ruling that prevents David Aey from being a candidate for Mahoning County sheriff. Aey’s candidacy was challenged by incumbent sheriff Randall A. Wellington.

“Because the board of elections abused its discretion by clearly disregarding [state law], we grant the writ” of prohibition barring the board from placing David P. Aey’s name on the March 4 Democratic primary ballot for Mahoning County sheriff.

“Aey did not earn the requisite supervisory experience. Instead, he admitted that he had never served as a peace officer at the rank of corporal or above.”

“Although we have a duty to liberally construe the statutory limitations on the right to be an eligible candidate for sheriff in order to permit electors to choose from all qualified candidates, the court cannot liberally construe a statute with an unequivocal and definite meaning.”

“Aey never served at a rank higher than deputy sheriff; the corporal position that the major [former Maj. Michael Budd] referenced had been abolished; and the major lacked authority to promote Aey.”