There are two Republicans on the May 3 primary election ballot running for judge of the Court of Common Pleas . Here is a quick look at both candidates .

Bob Batchelor

Why are you running for this position ?

I am running for re-election for the judge of common pleas court because this is the greatest way I can serve Coshocton County . Every decision impacts the very place where I live , work and raise a family . I believe I ’ ve been part of something bigger than I expected by being part of a great team that continues to make Coshocton County safer and better for everyone .

Also , being a judge is how I personally protect the rule of law and our Constitution for Coshocton County . It ’ s about the fairness and justice that makes America great . It ’ s about treating the little cases and

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Bob Batchelor

the big cases with the same attention and enthusiasm . I love the law , the courthouse and Coshocton County .

Finally , I want to make sure our courthouse remains a beacon of stability for Coshocton County . No matter what difficulties our county or our country face , I want people to see the courthouse that sits in the center of town as a sign that America ’ s basic principles

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William Todd Drown

of democracy are still alive and well .

What past experiences make you a good candidate for it ?

First , having served as the judge of the common pleas court for over 11 years , I bring experience to the job . I have presided over thousands of cases , and there is no substitute for that experience .

Also , marriage and children are the biggest influences in my life . When it comes to deciding domestic relations cases or understanding the need for safety in our community , my experiences through 26 years of marriage and raising boys are crucial .

Finally , serving 10 years as the county prosecutor prepared me to become the judge in a way many people don ’ t realize . The prosecutor has the toughest job in the county and always takes a lot of criticism . You need thick skin to succeed as the county prosecutor . I ’ ve taken this thick-skin approach to the court , so I can make tough decisions based on the facts and the law without worrying about what people might think or say about me . That is the true test of a judge .

What would be your top priorities if elected ?

As the common pleas court judge during a drug

epidemic , I have sentenced over 800 people to prison . Prison sentences are about punishment , to protect the public from future crime by the offender and others considering committing the same crime . I handed down more than 100 prison terms in 2019 alone , and in 2020 we had nearly 300 people in the state prison system . This year has seen an increase in serious drug cases , so the number of prison sentences will rise again . While prison terms help make the community safer , we also need to ask : What happens to people when they get out of prison ?

If re-elected , I plan to create a re-entry program for people returning to Coshocton County from prison . The law says people leaving prison are returned to the county that sentenced them to prison . Like it or not , this is the law . When these Coshocton County residents are released , the only thing they get from the

prison warden is $ 75 and a pat on the back . It ’ s no wonder that when people get out of prison , with nowhere to live , no job , no family and no future , they end up back on the street using drugs . Eventually , they start selling drugs , and the story goes on .

By establishing a local re-entry program with the help of community leaders , we can assist offenders in leading productive lives that will make our community safer .

William Todd Drown

Why are you running for this position ?

When I was just 30 years old and visiting the city of Cleveland , I was physically assaulted and injured by an 18-year-old guy . I will never forget what happened to me or the identity of the attacker who injured me or the unique tattoo on his chest . I was badly

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