Summit County magistrates challenge two Barberton judges in Tuesday's election

Two Summit County magistrates faced off against the two current Barberton judges in Tuesday’s election.

Cletus Pulliam, a magistrate in Summit County Common Pleas Court, challenged Todd McKenney, who has been on the Barberton bench since 2017.

Steve Elliott, the chief magistrate in Summit County Probate Court, went against Diana Stevenson, a long-time clerk in Barberton who was appointed to the bench in July. They competed for an unexpired term that runs through December 2025.

Pulliam and Elliott are first-time candidates, while McKenney and Stevenson have both run for office many times.

The judicial races are nonpartisan, though the candidates are affiliated with political parties. McKenney and Stevenson are Republicans, while Pulliam and Elliott are Democrats.

More: Voter Guide: Meet candidates for 2 Barberton Municipal Court judge races

The Barberton court district includes Barberton, Green, New Franklin, Norton, Copley, Coventry and Clinton.

Diana Stevenson v. Steve Elliott

Stevenson, who had served as Barberton clerk for 12 years, was appointed in June to replace Judge Jill Flagg Lanzinger after she moved to the 9th District Court of Appeals.

Before becoming clerk, Stevenson, 56, ran unsuccessfully for Barberton law director once and Barberton judge twice. Her prior experience includes serving as a Summit County Probate Court magistrate, an assistant Summit County prosecutor and a judicial attorney for Ohio Supreme Court Justice Deborah Cook.

"My unique combination of experience, qualifications, and deep community ties make me the better candidate," Stevenson said.

Elliott, 50, has been a magistrate in probate court since 2018 and was named the chief magistrate in January. Before this, he was an attorney in private practice for 15 years, worked for the Ohio Adult Parole Authority and was a CIA officer.

Elliott said his experience as an attorney, magistrate and in law enforcement makes him the best candidate.

"I think one judge can make a difference and I bring a different background and experience," he said.

Todd McKenney v. Cletus Pulliam

McKenney, 60, was appointed and then elected Barberton judge in 2017 and is currently the administrative and presiding judge.

Prior to this, McKenney was briefly a judge in Summit County Common Pleas and Summit County Probate Court. He also served in the Ohio House of Representatives and on New Franklin City Council and was the mercy and justice pastor for the Chapel in Akron and Green.

"With a decade of proven judicial experience, I am far better prepared for the challenges that come with this important position," he said.

Pulliam, 52, served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Desert Shield and Desert Storm from 1989 to 1993. He was a judicial assistant and law clerk in Akron Municipal Court and an assistant prosecutor in the Cuyahoga and Summit County prosecutor's offices. He then served as a judicial attorney and magistrate in Summit County Common Pleas Court.

"The values of sacrifice, hard work, faith, and service were ingrained in me by my parents," Pulliam said. "Now is the time to serve my community as judge."

Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com, 330-996-3705 and on Twitter: @swarsmithabj.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Voters decide two contested Barberton judge races