Kasich's replacement for Judge Evans — Dem or Republican?

YOUNGSTOWN

Atty. Shirley J. Christian — technically a Democrat, but who considers herself a Republican — is a common pleas court judge in waiting.

Gov. John Kasich, a Republican, announced Wednesday that Christian of New Springfield, an attorney with Harrington, Hoppe & Mitchell, will succeed Judge James C. Evans of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, a Democrat, on Oct. 2, a day after the judge’s retirement date.

Christian will serve the remainder of the outgoing judge’s term, which expires Dec. 31, 2016.

“I’m pleased to serve the people of Mahoning County as their newest common pleas judge,” Christian said. “As a lawyer who frequently appears in that court, I hold the position in high regard. I’m aware of the serious responsibilities of the position, and I’m willing to accept them.”

A county Republican Party committee recommended Kasich choose from among three candidates — Christian; Anthony M. D’Apolito of Poland, a county juvenile court magistrate and son of Judge Lou D’Apolito of common pleas court; and Robert J. Andrews of Boardman, a county assistant prosecutor. All three candidates are registered Democrats.

The county board of elections has Christian as a Democrat for voting in that party’s 2012 primary. She’s said she didn’t vote Democrat in that primary, however.

Records show she voted in the 2004 and 2010 Republican primaries.

Anthony D’Apolito, who planned to run as a Democrat for Judge Evans’ seat this year, said a month ago that he was “a realist” and as a Democrat he wouldn’t get Kasich’s appointment. “I’m not naive to the politics of these appointments.”

He said Wednesday, “At the end of the day, party affiliation meant more to the governor than qualifications. I’ve been a prosecutor, magistrate, solicitor, and that makes me perfect for the job.”

In response, Rob Nichols, Kasich’s spokesman, said about Mahoning County: “The most recent appointment [the governor] made in probate was unaffiliated [with a political party], so the concept of partisanship in the judicial selection by the governor doesn’t hold any water whatsoever.”

He was referring to Kasich’s June 17 appointment of Robert Rusu Jr., an independent.

Mahoning Republican Chairman Mark Munroe said, “The governor has once again made an outstanding selection."

David Betras, the county’s Democratic Party chairman, said, “It is a political appointment, so of course politics plays a major factor. It’s nothing against Shirley Christian.”

Instead, Betras vented his frustration against Judge Evans.

Read the complete story in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.