Shayla Favor wins Franklin County prosecutor primary
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In another closely watched race down ballot, Columbus City Council member Shayla D. Favor won the Democratic primary for Franklin County prosecutor, according to unofficial results.
Why it matters: If elected in November, Favor pledges to reform the local criminal justice system as the first woman and first Black prosecutor in county history.
State of play: The seat is open after incumbent Democrat Gary Tyack decided to retire after one term.
- As of Tuesday night, Favor had earned 41% of the total vote, defeating Natalia S. Harris, the Delaware city attorney, and Anthony Pierson, deputy chief counsel for the prosecutor's office.
What's next: She will face Republican defense attorney John Rutan in the fall.
Zoom in: Neither candidate has experience prosecuting felony criminal cases.
- Favor, who represents central Columbus, previously worked as an assistant Columbus city attorney handling code violation and environmental cases.
- She's pointed toward that role and her legislative work to combat gun violence and housing issues as relevant experience.
The other side: Rutan, who ran in the GOP primary unopposed, says his knowledge of the law and communication skills can overcome a lack of prosecutorial experience.
- He calls for bail reform, investments in prison diversion programs and an emphasis on battling white collar crimes.
The big picture: Before Tyack, Republican Ron O'Brien held the seat for over two decades.
- But the county has gotten bluer in that time, and Democrats now hold 10 of 11 executive offices.
- The engineer's office remains the lone exception, but a Democrat is contesting the seat this November.