HARDIN COUNTY - After twenty-five years of service as a trial judge, six years as the elected prosecuting attorney, and fourteen years of private law practice, Judge James S. Rapp has announced his decision to retire from his position as Judge of the Probate and Juvenile Divisions of the Hardin County Court of Common Pleas as of Dec. 31, 2012.
Both Governor Kasich and Chief Justice O'Connor have been informed of the decision and Chief Justice O'Connor is expected to appoint Judge Rapp to serve as administrative judge of the court pending a decision by the governor as to an appointment to fill the remaining two years of Judge Rapp's term of office.

"I regret that retirement comes before the end of my term of office, but family considerations made this decision necessary," state Rapp.

Robert Radway, Chairman of the Hardin County Republican Party, is expected to call a meeting of the Republican Central and Executive Committees sometime in January or early February in order to choose recommendations for consideration by Governor Kasich.