Lorain County Deputies Association endorses Janik, Freeman for judge in November

The Lorain County Deputies Association has endorsed Lorain County Domestic Relations/Juvenile Judge Frank Janik for reelection, and attorney Donna Freeman for Common Pleas judge. Though candidates' political party affiliations will not appear next to their names on the November ballot, both Janik and Freeman are Democrats and both have Republican challengers. The incumbent, Janik is running for reelection against Republican Anthony Hurst. Freeman, a veteran assistant prosecutor and magistrate in Janik's court, is running against Richard Ramsey, a Republican attorney in private practice and elected treasurer of the city of Amherst. Freeman and Ramsey are seeking to replace retiring Judge John Miraldi. The deputies association, or LCDA, includes all members of the Lorain County Sheriff's Office who are nonranking deputies or evidence officers. In a letter dated Sunday, the deputies association told Freeman it "proudly endorses you for the esteemed position" of Common Pleas judge. Its members have "worked side-by-side with you in your former role as an Assistant Prosecutor and your current role as a Magistrate," the LCDA wrote. "You have served both roles with a tenacious fire that shows your dedication to justice and your willingness to not back down from doing what is right," the deputies association wrote. "We have found you to hold your ethics high and have maintained the highest level of professionalism." Freeman also is "very well respected among law enforcement officers, your peers and co-workers," the LCDA wrote. Freeman said she was "very honored to receive this endorsement. "I've worked very closely with deputies and law enforcement over the years in my job as a magistrate, for five years, and assistant prosecuting attorney, for 15 years," she said. "I have the utmost respect for law enforcement and public safety is one of my number one concerns." Janik has served "proudly, ethically and (has) maintained the highest level of professionalism," the LCDA wrote him in another letter, also dated Sunday. "We believe your extensive experience (as) an attorney prior to being elected judge, as well as your current experience as a Domestic Relations judge, makes you the ideal candidate for the judgeship," the LCDA wrote. "Your record effectively addressing the unique challenges in Domestic Relations court, working with local law enforcement to address any issues and partnering together to create a better system shows just how dedicated you are to the citizens and law enforcement of this county." Janik said Monday he was "honored and humbled to receive the endorsement and support of the Lorain County Deputies Association." "Having worked with the Lorain County deputies for nearly 34 years as a Lorain County assistant prosecuting attorney, private practicing attorney, and now domestic/juvenile judge for the last 12 years, I am proud to be endorsed by a group of people that I respect and admire," Janik said.Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com.