There will be six judge races on the November ballot in Lake County next year and it will be quite interesting to see who runs for these benches.

Before that, however, a new Probate Court judge will be appointed by Gov. John Kasich to replace the vacancy created when Judge Ted Klammer died.

There is some talk that Painesville Municipal Court Judge Michael Cicconetti is interested in the Probate Court position. He’s a Democrat, so it might be a little tough to imagine him getting the appointment, but maybe not so far-fetched.

If Kasich was to appoint Cicconetti as Probate Court judge, it would then create a vacancy for Painesville Municipal Court judge and the governor could appoint a Republican to that bench.

My hunch, though, is the governor appoints a Republican to the Probate Court and lets the election process work itself out next year to determine who would get a new six-year term.

Lake County Common Pleas Court Judge Joseph Gibson won’t be able to run for re-election next year due to age restrictions. Republican Randi Ostry ran against Gibson in 2008, perhaps she might make another run? Dennis N. Loconti finished second in a primary to Gibson in March 2008, maybe he gives it another try?

I’m also hearing that if Assistant Geauga County Prosecutor Mark Bartolotta, a Republican who previously served as a Lake County assistant prosecutor, isn’t appointed to the Probate Court bench, he might run for Gibson’s bench.

Also up next year is Lake County Juvenile Court Judge Karen Lawson. In March 2008, four Democrats, Patrice Denman, James R. Dugan, Paul E. Miller, and John Rogers (now a state representative), ran in a Democratic primary with Denman emerging as the Democratic candidate. She eventually lost against Lawson. Who might challenge Lawson next year?

Other judge races on the ballot in 2014 are the Lake County Domestic Relations Court bench held by Judge Colleen A. Falkowski, and two 11th District Court of Appeals seats held by Judges Timothy P. Cannon and Cynthia Westcott Rice.

Falkowski and Rice were both unopposed in November 2008. Cannon defeated Republican Paul Brickner.

Trapp private practice

Former 11th District Court of Appeals Court Judge Mary Jane Trapp has joined the Cleveland office of the law firm of Thrasher, Dinsmore and Dolan.

Pulling petitions

In Geauga County, several candidates have taken out petitions with the county Elections Board to run for offices in the Nov. 5 election. No one had filed to run as of Thursday.

People who have taken out petitions are Mike Ferrell for Claridon Township trustee; Edward W. Kaminski and Nadine Pope for Hambden Township trustee; Jason Sutter and Al Vontorcik for Huntsburg Township trustee; James J. McCaskey for Munson Township trustee; Ken Armstrong for Russell Township trustee; Nancy McArthur for Chardon Council; Steve Remias for Geauga County Educational Service Center Governing Board; Gregory Kernc for Chardon Board of Education; and Matthew T. Fuentes for Ledgemont Board of Education.

In Lake County, Kimberly C. Evers has taken out petitions with the county Elections Board for Eastlake Council-at Large. Rusty Bliss has taken out petitions to run for Willoughby-Eastlake Board of Education.

Filed petitions

Edmund Leoson has filed petitions to run for Painesville Township trustee.

Fundies

n Concord Township Trustees Paul Malchesky and Christopher Galloway re-election fundraiser 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Harry Buffalo in Painesville Township. See Malchesky, Galloway or Connie Luhta.

n Dennis Morley will host a kickoff fundraiser for his Eastlake mayor campaign, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 17 at Trader Jack’s Riverside Grille in Eastlake. See Donna Vaughn or Barb Morley.

n Lake County Commissioner Judy Moran will host a fundraiser from 5 to 7:30 p.m. April 18 at Dino’s Banquet Center in Willoughby. See Kathy Russo.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah