FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ohio — For the first time in 24 years, Franklin County will have a new prosecutor.
Incumbent Republican Ron O'Brien conceded the race for Franklin County Prosecutor to Democrat Gary Tyack.
Early Wednesday morning, the unofficial results from the Franklin County Board of Elections showed Tyack winning with more than 53% of the vote.
Tyack, 74, is a former judge for the 10th District Court of Appeals. The Columbus Dispatch reported Tyack retired in 2019 because Ohio law prevents judges from starting a term after the age of 70.
“I frankly have seen too many situations where people of color have been shot by police officers ad nothing has come of it,” Tyack said.
Tyack says that is one of the top reasons he decided to run. He says he will be a stark contrast to O'Brien.
“He has also handled cases in such a way that if someone is shot by a police officer there is no chance that the officer will be corrected or disciplined,” Tyack explained.
Tyack grew up in Columbus and almost became an ordained minister before switching to law.
He says one area Franklin County residents can expect change is how often death penalty cases are tried.
“I think that the death penalty should only be sought in the most extreme of circumstances. I am going to carefully review every case that goes to the grand jury,” Tyack said.
O'Brien started working in the prosecutor's office while in law school. He's been the city attorney and has been the Franklin County Prosecutor for 24 years.
“The joy of this job is that every day there is something new, something different, something exciting, that is probably what I will miss the most,” O’Brien explained.
O'Brien was seeking his seventh consecutive term as county prosecutor.
“My best advice is to make the decisions deliberatively and in the best public interest,” said Ron O’Brien of his successor.
O'Brien survived a tight race in 2016, edging out now-Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein. At the time, Klein was the president of Columbus City Council.