Jeffrey Welbaum and Carley Ingram both say they have been effective in their respective legal careers. The debate for the open Second District Court of Appeals judgeship to replace the retiring Thomas Grady is about whose background is the better fit.

Welbaum, 60, of Troy, is a political veteran who won three elections as Miami County Prosecutor and three more as a Miami County Common Pleas judge. Currently the chief of the criminal justice section in the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Welbaum is a Republican with the support of Attorney General Mike DeWine.

Ingram, 58, of Spring Valley Twp., is a political newcomer who is the chief of the appellate division of the Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office. Ingram is a Democrat with union support and the backing of Montgomery County Prosecutor Mat Heck.

“I think the citizens of these six counties are lucky to have two qualified candidates running,” Ingram said. “My opponent tends to say that putting another trial judge with experience will bring diversity to the court, but putting a fourth trial judge on a five-member panel doesn’t bring diversity.

“What I bring is an understanding and experience in appellate work — how you take these cases apart, this knowledge that the truth is in the record. I’ve spent years working late, reading transcripts, taking apart arguments and putting them back together. It’s a different approach and a different basis of knowledge. I don’t mean to underestimate or denigrate the experience that a trial judge has except that in this situation, what I have is much more closely aligned.”

Welbaum said he’s the one with the more diverse legal background.

“I’ve been a private practicing attorney, an assistant public defender, an elected prosecutor, a general division trial judge and chief of the criminal justice section of the Ohio Attorney General’s (Office) and I think that’s a very unique blend of experience that would benefit the court,” Welbaum said. “The challenge of the Second District Court of Appeals is diversity in subject matter.

“The court hears cases from municipal, county, probate, juvenile court, domestic relations court, common pleas court and I have experience in all those areas as well as trial court experience. It’s a diverse docket and I have a diverse experience that matches that docket.”

Each has received financial contributions from several fellow attorneys and the race has forced each to expand their target audience. The district includes Montgomery, Greene, Miami, Darke, Champaign and Clark counties.

“It spreads you thin,” Welbaum said. “The people of Miami County know me and the people of the other counties don’t know me as well, so I’m having to find ways to introduce myself.”

Ingram agreed: “It’s a lot of work. I like it. I thought it would be much more difficult to go out and talk to people I don’t know.”

Welbaum said his proudest moment was being elected three times to be a Miami County Common Pleas Court judge.

“We talk about our respective experience,” Welbaum said of his chats with interested voters. “I’ve been elected six times and proven my responsibility to the public.”

Ingram said her finest hour was arguing a case in front of the United States Supreme Court.

“My proudest is arguing in the United States Supreme Court in 1996,” she said. “I appealed, they took the case and I wrote a brief. I went to Washington and argued in front of the United States Supreme Court… . It was amazing. Pretty incredible. And I won.”

Welbaum said his nearly two years in the Attorney General’s Office has enriched his legal experience due to the different types of litigation he’s handled.

“The job I have presently gives me more of a broad view of the legal landscape than I had when I was a county elected official,” he said. “It’s expanded my view and my opportunity to learn about criminal justice issues on a statewide basis.”

Ingram said she wants to make sure every person knows they will get a fair trial and to uphold the high practices of the court.

“I’ve been practicing in front of this court since 1985,” she said. “The court operates very collegially, even in cases where there is dissent. There’s a mutual respect, a respect for counsel. It takes legal issues very seriously. It’s my hope, my pledge, and I’ll make it my goal to meet the high standard that the court has already set.”