Brown selects Solon woman for U.S. judge in Youngstown
YOUNGSTOWN — In his decision to recommend U.S. Magistrate Benita Pearson as the federal court judge for Youngstown, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown said her background and experience with the federal court stood out.
Brown recommended Judge Pearson on Tuesday over two other finalists: Judge Gene Donofrio of the Youngstown-based Ohio 7th District Court of Appeals, and Geoffrey Mearns, dean of Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.
“This was a difficult decision because I had to choose from three really smart people,” Brown told The Vindicator on Tuesday, shortly after telephone conversations with the candidates.
Brown, a Democrat from Avon, said he interviewed the finalists Sunday for about an hour each.
“She’s ready to go as a federal judge,” he said. “Her experience as a magistrate was an advantage.”
She’s been a federal magistrate since 2008 and spent eight years as an assistant U.S. attorney with its task force on organized crime and public corruption.
Brown and U.S. Sen. George V. Voinovich, a Republican from Cleveland, are recommending Judge Pearson for the job, based at the Thomas D. Lambros federal courthouse in downtown Youngstown, to President Barack Obama.
She must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, a process that could take a few months.
The position became open with the decision by Peter C. Economus of Poland to take senior status, effective July 3, after 14 years as a full-time judge. As a senior judge, Economus will have a significantly reduced caseload but will retain his annual salary of $174,000.
Judge Pearson, of Solon, said she plans to move to the Mahoning Valley if she is confirmed by the Senate.
“I’m humbled and greatly honored” to be recommended, and “I look forward to the confirmation,” she said. “I can’t articulate how exciting this is.”
Judge Pearson said she was reared in Cleveland’s inner city, one of six children. She worked as an accountant to earn enough money to pay for law school.
“I’m a rags-to-riches tale,” she said.
In 1995, a decade after she obtained a bachelor of science degree from Georgetown University, she earned her law degree from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.
“I’ve always wanted to be a judge,” Judge Pearson said. “This is a great opportunity. I’m going to get involved in the community, particularly with the public schools. I’m going to have a wonderful relationship with the community.”
Mahoning County Democratic Party Chairman David Betras and other local politicians had lobbied Brown to select Judge Donofrio, of Canfield, the only finalist from the Mahoning Valley. Mearns lives in Shaker Heights.
“Though I’m disappointed, I support Sherrod Brown’s decision,” Betras said. “Gene Donofrio is a fine candidate, but I’m sure the senator went with the person he felt would be the best.”
Judge Donofrio said he was “obviously disappointed” by Brown’s decision, but “I’m over it already.”
The judge said he was honored to be among the finalists.
“I was one of three very qualified candidates,” Judge Donofrio said. “I’m overwhelmed by the support from people all over the state. I know it was a difficult decision” for Brown to make.
The job pays $174,000 annually.
skolnick@vindy.com