YOUNGSTOWN — Donald P. Scott withdrew from the Republican primary for the 7th District Court of Appeals, paving the way for Mahoning County Area Court Judge Molly K. Johnson to run unopposed.

Scott said he decided to withdraw after “careful consideration” and discussions with Mahoning County Republican Party Chairman Tom McCabe and Columbiana County Republican Party Chair Dave Johnson, saying getting out of the race is “best in the interest of the community and for party unity. This was not an easy decision, but it is the right one for the community and the Republican Party.”

Scott’s withdrawal means Johnson, serving her second term on the county court, will run unopposed in the May 5 Republican primary for the open seat. No Democrats filed for the seat.

May 4, the day before the primary, is the deadline for independent candidates to file. If none file and get certified, Johnson would have no opponent for the Nov. 3 general election.

Campaign finance reports show Johnson loaned $140,000 to her campaign on Dec. 30 and raised $89,013.90 in the second half of 2025. Johnson had $276,250 in her campaign as of Dec. 31, which included carryover. Scott reported a $298.40 surplus in his fund as of Dec. 31.

During his brief campaign for the appeals seat, Scott said: “Our courts are not for sale. And I’m running to make sure they never are.”

Johnson lined up a number of endorsements including McCabe, Dave Johnson, U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli, Secretary of State Frank LaRose and state Treasurer Robert Sprague.

Also, Scott is a registered Democrat, voting in that party’s primaries in 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2024 while Johnson is a reliable Republican primary voter.

The seat is currently held by Republican Carol Ann Robb, who cannot seek reelection this year because of the age-limit law for judges.

The heavily-Republican appeals district includes Mahoning, Columbiana, Belmont, Carroll, Harrison, Jefferson, Monroe and Noble counties.

Scott said: “Although I will no longer be a candidate, my commitment to the issues that inspired this campaign remain unchanged. I will continue to advocate for independent, impartial and fair justice and support community efforts to achieve this goal.”

Scott is a retired Youngstown police officer and retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel. He unsuccessfully ran in 2021 as an independent for Youngstown council president and two years earlier for council’s 7th Ward seat, when he lived in the city. He currently resides in Canfield.