YOUNGSTOWN — Ross Smith, who is running for Mahoning County Common Pleas Court judge, was sworn in as a magistrate by the person he’s looking to succeed.

R. Scott Krichbaum, who cannot run for reelection this year because of the state’s age-limit law on judges, administered Smith’s oath of office Monday.

Smith started Monday as Krichbaum’s magistrate. Smith will initially work with Timothy Welsh, Krichbaum’s magistrate for the past 20 years, and then take over for him when Welsh retires at the end of February.

Smith, a 20-year attorney, said he briefly served as a county assistant prosecutor and has had a private practice for most of his legal career with a focus on domestic relations and child custody cases.

Becoming a magistrate, he said, “is something that interested me for a long time. I’ve done everything else. I want to learn the day-to-day operations from the judge.”

Krichbaum, the court’s most senior judge, first elected in 1990, cannot run for reelection.

Smith, a Republican, is the only candidate as of Monday to file to succeed Krichbaum, who is also a Republican.

“I think with my experience and ability I’ll be a good fit for judge,” Smith said.

Democrat Mark D’Apolito is collecting signatures to run for the same seat. D’Apolito was hired in April 2023 as Austintown Township administrator. Before that, he spent five years as a county assistant prosecutor and previously worked three years as a Youngstown assistant law director.

Those wanting to run in the May 5 partisan primary must file by Feb. 4, while those who seek the positions as independents have until May 4, the day before the primary, to submit nominating petitions.

Krichbaum said he’s known Smith for 20 years.

“Ross is a good man, a good friend and a good lawyer,” Krichbaum said. “His integrity, knowledge and experience makes him the perfect choice.”

Krichbaum said he didn’t hire Smith because he wants to be a judge, and Smith didn’t take the position for that reason.

“This is about him being a fine magistrate, which I trust he will be,” Krichbaum said. “He’d make an outstanding judge because of the fine person that he is.”