By 1812Blockhouse
A change of plans for current Richland County Prosecutor Gary Bishop resulted in the selection of a temporary replacement on Thursday by the Richland County Commissioners.
Bishop, who previously rescinded a notice of resignation, has indicated that he intends to retire as of close of business on Friday.
Section 305.02 of the Ohio Revised Code provides that a temporary replacement can be named. The individual so selected does not need to live within Richland County. Within 45 days, however, the Central Committee of the party of which the retiring official was a member must meet to choose a successful.
Jodie Schumacher is currently First Assistant Prosecutor and will assume her temporary role on Bishop’s retirement.
When asked how the last few months have been with the Prosecutor experiencing health-related absences, Schumacher told Commissioners, “At times I would say that it has been challenging.” “While it has been challenging at points, I accept those challenges.”
Schumacher is not eligible for selection by the Central Committee as a non-resident.
According to the website of the Richland County Prosecutor, Schumacher “was admitted to the Ohio State Bar in 2004. Prior to her admission, she was fortunate to earn an athletic scholarship to Ohio University where she obtained her undergraduate degree in Liberal Arts, with focuses on Sociology and Psychology. Upon graduation, she was accepted into and attended the University of Toledo, College of Law. Since Ms. Schumacher’s admission to the Bar, she has focused her career in criminal law, specifically criminal prosecution. She has successfully prosecuted offenses as minimal as minor misdemeanors and as serious as death penalty matters.”
