Badnell, Whitney looking for seat on Mansfield Municipal Court bench

Both Lore Whitney and David Badnell say this is the right time for them to seek a judgeship.

Whitney and Badnell are vying to replace the late Frank Ardis Jr. as Mansfield Municipal Court judge. Ardis, who was serving his final term, passed away last month.

A 1980 graduate of Lexington High School, Whitney has been a municipal court magistrate since 2019. She has been a partner in the law firm of Inscore, Rinehardt, Whitney & Enderle since 1992.

Lore Whitney
Lore Whitney

"Dad's older and Rolf's older," she said of Robert and Rolf Whitney. "I thought the time is right. If I'm going to do it anytime, I'd better do it now, so here I am."

Badnell, a Morrow County native, came to Mansfield in 1996 and has had his own practice for a number of years.

David Badnell
David Badnell

"I have that energy and that passion," he said. "It's the next challenge in my career. I've built the practice. It's time for me to give back."

Badnell said he developed an affinity for Mansfield by attending a ton of movies at the old Sunset Drive-In.

After working for a Cincinnati firm for a year, he had an opportunity to work here.

"It felt like I was returning home," Badnell said.

Whitney born and raised in Lexington

Whitney has been entrenched in the Lexington community her entire life, coming from one of Richland County's most prominent families.

She points to her experience as magistrate.

"Once Magistrate (Phil) Naumoff became judge, I knew there was an opening and suggested it to Judge Jerry Ault," Whitney said.

She worked full-time as magistrate in 2019 and 2020, serving at the height at the COVID-19 pandemic. Judges Ault and Ardis stayed home at times because of health issues.

"When COVID happened, John (McCollister, fellow magistrate) and I did everything," Whitney said. "We took care of both judges. John and I didn't miss a day to continue the functions of Mansfield Municipal Court."

Both Badnell and Whitney tout their experience in different types of law.

Badnell calls his firm "multi-faceted," saying he and his staff handle bankruptcy, criminal, domestic, workers' compensation and federal administrative law.

He said he wants to restore municipal court.

Badnell touts experience

"I'm young enough, experienced enough and energetic enough that I want to bring the courts back to where I saw them when I came to town," Badnell said.

He approves of specialty courts.

"I can just take some of what Judge Ault has and bring it back to the way it was when the court was very active in diverting criminals away from the system and preventing recidivism," Badnell said.

Whitney has done civil, juvenile, domestic, criminal, traffic and probate work. She also points to the last four years of her time with the court.

"I wouldn't have much of a learning curve because I've already handled all the work," she said.

Whitney said she would like to add more providers for mental health court and get participants in veterans court out in the community "instead of just having them report to us once a month."

She also wants to delve into why offenders are committing crimes.

The candidates found different ways to municipal court. Badnell said his first experience in misdemeanor court happened during law school.

Badnell enjoys helping people with their problems

Two of his professors encouraged him to go that route, saying he had a knack for dealing with people's problems.

Badnell said he had planned to pursue corporate law before changing his mind.

"It's the highest volume," he said of municipal court. "You see many, many chances to make an impact. I call it the people's court.

"I have always been a people person. I had so much of a connection with people that it drew me into a people-related practice."

While appearing in juvenile court recently, Whitney heard an official say offenders can receive education at that level, but punishment as adults.

The comment bothered her.

"I want to continue to educate," she said.

Both candidates live in Lexington. Whitney is well-known for her work with the Lexington Athletic Boosters.

Badnell has established a family in the village. His wife, Kelly, is the county's probate judge.

"Everything I have that's important to me is right here," Badnell said.

He has not accepted campaign donations or sought endorsements.

"This is 100% self-funded," Badnell said. "I don't owe anybody anything. I know that certain candidates chase endorsements, but I'm an independent. Nobody can question your authority that way."

If he wins, Badnell said giving up his practice would be "the hardest thing, way harder than I thought."

Whitney has been with family firm for many years

Whitney agreed with her opponent, saying leaving the family firm would be "bittersweet."

She is endorsed by several unions, including Carpenter Local Union No. 735, Mid-Ohio Area Labor Council AFL-CIO, Ohio AFSCME Power in Action No. 3088, Laborers International Union of North America, Local 1216 AFL-CIO and United Steel Workers Local 3657.

"I don't shy away," Whitney said. "I do my work. I like working hard and getting things done in a punctual manner."

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

X (formerly Twitter): @MarkCau32059251

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mansfield attorneys seeking to be municipal court judge