Scioto County Domestic Relations Court Judge David Spears said he thinks his experience is why voters chose him over Democratic challenger Marie Hoover in Tuesday's election.

“You never really know why, but my whole platform was based on my experience,” he said. “I've been a lawyer for 34 years and a judge for 18.”

The incumbent Spears defeated Hoover 13,585 to 10,157 based on unofficial results.

“That could change based on the provisional votes,” he said. “But if not, we'd be very, very happy to win.”

The county Elections Board will count the provisional votes in about 11 days.

“I've been a domestic judge for almost 12 years, so I think that had something to do with it,” Spears said. “And I spent seven years in Municipal Court, which is a fast-paced court.”

Spears has several goals for his next six-year term, including helping parents and children cope with divorce.

“They will have to attend the program before their case will be heard,” he said. “The program will tell them what to do and what not to do in regards to their children during the divorce.”

While Spears was looking ahead to his next term, he also reflected on his past two terms on the bench.

“We made a lot of changes when I took over,” he said. “We instituted a mediation program to settle differences at no cost. We also upgraded the recording system to a digital one.”

Spears said his office also put the court's local rules on the Internet so lawyers could simply log onto their computers to access them.

Will Spears run for another term in six years?

“Who knows what will happen in six years?” he said. “But we'll see what happens.”

Hoover was not available for comment.

In other races, U.S. 2nd District Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Loveland, led Democratic challenger Victoria Wulsin 87,797 to 82,368, with 58 percent of the precincts reporting at press time.

Also, Ohio 89th District Rep. Todd Book led Democrat challenger Tim Knauff, 17,098 to 7,938.

Independent Mike Bryan had 824 votes.

JEFF BARRON can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 236.