Summit County Judge Amy Corrigall Jones to step down in August

A battle to fill one of 10 seats on the Summit County Court of Common Pleas is in the works after Judge Amy Corrigall Jones announced Monday she will be leaving her judicial seat to embark upon "a new professional venture."

Jones, also the court's administrative judge, announced her last day in office will be Aug. 5. She was first elected to the bench in 2012 and is currently the court's administrative judge.

"I am embracing the unknown with courage and curiosity and taking the next step in my professional life," Jones said in recent interview.

Jones said she doesn't currently have a plan in mind but, for right now, is focused on helping her colleagues and staff make a smooth transition for after her departure. She was reelected in 2018 after running unopposed.

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In a letter to Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor, Jones said she has "had the privilege to work with dedicated colleagues, co-workers, treatment team members, and other community leaders."

Jones has been the administrative judge for six years, which manages the administration, docket and calendar of the court's general division. The judges planned to meet to decide who will take over the administrative role.

Jones also started and presided over the Summit County Valor Court, a program for veterans who ran afoul of the law, and the Summit County Offender Recidivism Reduction (SCORR) program, a pilot probation effort. She said she hopes those efforts will continue after she leaves the court, though those plans are still in the works.

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The court's presiding judge this year is Alison Breaux. Her responsibilities include calling meetings to discuss and resolve administrative problems in all divisions of Common Pleas Court, which includes the general, domestic relations, juvenile and probate divisions.

Bryan Williams, head of the Summit County Republican Party, said he heard about Jones' resignation Monday and noted Jones switched her party affiliation from Republican to Democrat in the May primary election. He speculated the timing of her resignation was meant to prevent DeWine from appointing a successor to fill the entire remainder of her term, which expires in 2024.

Instead, he said, county Republicans are now pressed for time to nominate a successor to go on the November ballot.

Tom Bevan, head of the Summit County Democratic Party, said he'd heard about Jones' decision over the weekend. He said he was not sure about the timing of the seat's vacancy in relation to whether it's up for election in November or in 2024, but said Democrats are preparing to nominate a candidate for the November election.

Neither Williams nor Bevan said they could name potential successors.

Jones acknowledged that she voted a Democratic ticket in the primary. As for the timing of her resignation, she said, "It's the appropriate time for me and the crossroads I'm at in my life." She said she has both short-term and long-term goals.

Eric Marotta can be reached at 330-541-9433, or emarota@gannett.com. Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705 or swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Summit County Judge Jones to resign for 'professional venture'