Kasich picks Goulding for open court seat

Toledo Municipal judge to fill vacancy in Lucas Co. Common Pleas Court

Judge Michael Goulding

Gov. John Kasich has decided to appoint Toledo Municipal Judge Michael Goulding to fill a vacancy on Lucas County Common Pleas Court, Lucas County Republican Chairman Jon Stainbrook said today.

Mr. Goulding, a Republican, will take over the seat previously held by Judge James Jensen who was elected last year to the 6th District Court of Appeals.

The Lucas County Republican Party recommended three names to Mr. Kasich for the appointment - those of Mr. Goulding, county Domestic Relations Judge David Lewandowski, and Toledo attorney Kenneth Phillips.

Mr. Goulding would run in 2014 for the right to complete the rest of Judge Jensen’s term through 2016.

Judge Goulding was appointed to Toledo Municipal Court in 2007 and subsequently won election to his own six-year term.

Judge Goulding is expected to withdraw his name from the Nov. 5 ballot for re-election. The candidates who would remain on the ballot are Democrat Gretchen DeBacker and Republicans Joshua Lanzinger and Mr. Phillips. On Thursday, Democrat attorney Joseph Howe of Toledo withdrew as a candidate.