‘It’s tough to leave’: Clark County prosecutor appointed to DeWine cabinet

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Clark County Prosecutor Andy Wilson is leaving his position and has accepted a job to work for Governor-elect Mike DeWine.

Wilson will take a job as senior policy adviser for criminal justice. The Clark County Commission is expected to name current deputy prosecutor Dan Driscoll to the interim position Friday.

BREAKING: Mike DeWine names 14 more to his cabinet

“It’s tough to leave, it really is,” Wilson said. “It’s tough to leave the people. I love the people. I love the law enforcement officers here. I love the relationships that we have with the different community organizations.”

Wilson became Clark County prosecutor in 2011, but worked for the office before that.

“I’ve been here for 17 years,” Wilson told the Springfield News-Sun after attending a press conference in Columbus where DeWine welcomed new members of his administration. “I was thinking about that when I was driving to Columbus this morning. Growing up, I lived in my parent’s house for 17 years before I left for the Army. I’ve been in this office the same amount of time.”

Wilson said DeWine has a commitment to improving the lives of Ohioans and that pushed him to take the new job.

“Who wouldn’t want to be part of a team where the leader has endless energy and is passionate about making the state a better place?” Wilson said.

Wilson said his job will be to work with DeWine’s legislative team and the senior policy adviser to tackle public safety issues. Moving on won’t be easy, he said, but it’s something he is comfortable with.

“I’ve tried every kind of case that has come through the door. From simple thefts to capital cases,” Wilson said. “So I feel like I’ve done everything there is to do with respect of the caseload and managing the people, the budget. It really is a great time and a great opportunity for me to move on to a new challenge.”

Wilson said it’s been an honor serving the people of Clark County.

MORE: Springfield teen guilty of killing brother: Crime scene a ‘horror movie’

Clark County Republican Chairperson Dan Harkins said Wilson will be missed as a county leader, but the new job is an important step for him.

“I want to thank Andy for his service as an effective county prosecutor,” said Harkins, who is a Springfield attorney. “The governor’s invitation for him to join the official office reflects well on Andy’s qualifications and experience and I am confident that Andy will have a stellar public service career in both the state and federal level.”

Harkins said the Clark County Commission is expected to make Driscoll the acting prosecutor while the Clark County Republicans accept applications for the role. The Clark County Republican Central Committee was expected to hold a meeting Thursday night to create a screening committee to help select the new leader, Harkins said.

Those interested in the job are asked to pick up an application at Harkin’s office, 333 N. Limestone St. The screening committee will interview candidates on Feb. 2 and recommend a candidate to the central committee. The central committee will then interview the candidates themselves and make a selection.

The seat will be up for grabs in 2020.

About the Author