Fruth resigns from elections board to run for judge

Jim Fruth has resigned from the Seneca County Board of Elections to run for the office of Tiffin-Fostoria Municipal Court judge. Candidates for public office cannot serve on the board. Fruth said he served on the board for 11 years. "It's a completely different place from where I started," he said. During that time, the board changed its location to 71 S. Washington St., Suite 1101, updated the method of voting and increased security, among other changes. "We have a very strong set of employees and staff members," he said. "We have a very collegial and stable board." Both Director Jim Ehrman and Deputy Director Lori Ritzler have been recognized as directors of the year, he said. Fruth said he thinks Seneca County is the only county in Ohio that offers a live stream on election nights. "We try to put our people right in the office to be transparent about what's going on," he said. "Our goal was to get the information out in the public in a transparent manner." Like Woody Hayes, Fruth said, "You win with people. In my mind, we've been undefeated for years." "Between the staff and the board that I've worked with, it has been one of the true pleasures of my life," he said. "I will miss it like missing my left arm." Board of Elections Director Jim Ehrman said Fruth will be missed on the board. "The board greatly appreciates his service and will miss him," Ehrman said. Ehrman said the local Democratic party has met and selected Theresa Nibblett to replace Fruth. Her name and information have been sent to Secretary of State Frank LaRose for the potential appointment. His office conducts a background check and considers the candidate before making the appointment. Ehrman said Niblett will likely take her seat in early March if she is approved. Fruth was serving as chairman of the board so the board will be choosing a new chair after the appointment is made, Ehrman said. Fruth's petition to be on the May primary ballot as a candidate for municipal judge will be on the agenda when the board of elections meets at 5 p.m. Feb. 13 to certify "the validity and sufficiency of partisan candidates' petitions." If approved, he will be the only judge candidate on the Democratic primary ballot. There are two Republicans running for the judge post – the current appointed judge, Rhonda Best, and former judge, Mark Repp. The board also will consider petitions for Tiffin and Fostoria city council positions. The deadline to file a petition was Feb. 1. Ehrman said an updated list of candidates will be available Monday, and there might be a few additions to the list published by The Advertiser-Tribune Thursday. He said the staff continues to process signatures on petitions to make sure they're valid. "We have more people who have submitted petitions that are on the website presently," he said. "It'll be caught up Monday. It takes time to go through them. Some signatures take a little time to figure out." Ehrman said they're a "good number" of candidates this year, and Tiffin City Council has more candidates than usual because people serving in the three at-large seats had been appointed and must run for the unexpired term.