Joe Deters

Joe Deters, the least experienced justice on the Ohio Supreme Court, is taking on incumbent Democrat Melody Stewart, the first African American woman elected to the court.

Some think the Republican Ohio Supreme Court justice violated judicial codes of ethics by hearing the case and failing to recuse himself. But Deters said he anticipated this kind of situation.

Ohio Democrats believe they can flip the partisan makeup of the Ohio Supreme Court in their favor next year.

Former judge and assistant prosecutor Melissa Powers was chosen Thursday by the Hamilton County Republican Party's central committee to replace her longtime friend and mentor, Joe Deters. Powers will run for a full term in 2024.

The appointment of the long-time Hamilton County prosecutor to the Ohio Supreme Court might be construed as a retirement job, but Deters is not likely to treat it that way.

Democrat John Cranley, who ended an eight-year run as Cincinnati's mayor a year ago, said Thursday he is "very much interested" in running for Hamilton County prosecutor in 2024.

Deters will finish the term of Justice Sharon Kennedy, which ends in 2024. His appointment leaves a vacancy in the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office, which will likely be filled by the Hamilton County Republican Party Central Committee.

Gov. Mike DeWine says his office is getting calls every day with suggestions of who should fill the empty seat on the Ohio Supreme Court left by Sharon Kennedy after she won her race for chief justice. One of those rumored recommendations is Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters.

"I made this fair," Rhodes said. And, really, there's no arguing otherwise.

In 2006, 3-year-old Marcus Fiesel was reported missing from Julifs Park by his foster parents, David and Liz Carroll. The Carrolls were convicted in 2007 of murdering Fiesel; David took a plea deal and is up for parole next month.