County prosecutor candidates coming to Cleveland Heights Jan. 12

One of the most watched races in Cuyahoga County next year will be the one for county prosecutor. It is one of only two countywide offices authorized by the new charter, which was  voted in place in 2009. It carries considerable power because it sets priorities for the types of crimes that are prosecuted more vigorously. When sitting prosecutor Bill Mason announced last year that he would not be seeking re-election, it left a wide-open field that has attracted six candidates so far, all Democrats.

Those candidates will be participating in a forum at the Cleveland Heights Community Center at 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 12. The forum is sponsored by the Cleveland Heights Democratic Club, and everyone is invited--Democrats, Republicans, Independents and undecideds. Admission is free and open to all.

With no announced Republican challenger, it is likely that the winner of the Democratic primary—date to be decided—will be the next prosecutor. The Cuyahoga County Democratic Party executive committee did not issue an endorsement in the race, so the field is wide open. The candidates include Subodh Chandra, former Cleveland law director and candidate for state attorney general; Stephanie Hall,  former policewoman and current Cuyahoga assistant prosecutor; Kevin Kelley, Cleveland City Councilmember; James McDonnell, former North Royalton prosecutor; Judge Tim McGinty, who stepped down from the common pleas court to run; and Robert Triozzi, former judge and former Cleveland law director.