Editorial: Frost superior choice for judge

Judicial elections can be tricky for voters, especially when two newer political names are running for Domestic Relations judge, an important job for those who find themselves in the courtroom seeking a divorce or resolving child custody issues.

That’s why we sat down for about an hour with both candidates, appointed interim judge Duke Frost and challenger Philip Proctor, to discuss their qualifications and plans for the court. The winner will complete the term of former Judge Craig Baldwin — who was appointed to a higher court — and serve through 2016.

Our board unanimously found Frost to be the superior candidate in every facet of the conversation. He previously worked for seven years as a felony prosecutor in the Licking County Prosecutor’s Office and offers 15 years of legal experience. He also served briefly on Newark City Council before his appointment.

Frost confidently described an aggressive agenda he’s carried out the past 14 months, including speeding up the court docket, correcting codes on rulings and cracking down on people failing to pay their child support. The latter has included sentencing non-payers to jail and granting them time to find a job and work release if they’re successful.

We also were impressed with Frost’s passion for doing what’s best for children who find themselves in the middle of cases, advocating for shared parenting rights to give both parents equal legal standing and conducting in-person interviews before granting protection orders.

Proctor, who served as an attorney for the Licking County Child Support Agency for 13 years and now works in private practice, struggled to suggest any constructive ideas he would implement if elected. We later recalled he lost his law license for six months in 2012 for making false statements about a Delaware County judge in 2007.

We’re certain anyone who interviewed both candidates together would come to the same conclusion.

We endorse Frost.

Make up your own mind

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