MANSFIELD — Richland County Prosecutor Gary Bishop on Wednesday again announced his plans to retire from office, effective Friday.
County commissioners on Thursday will consider appointing an acting county prosecutor to perform the duties of the office until the Richland County Republican Party central committee can meet to select a replacement to complete the remainder of Bishop’s term.
Bishop announced his plans Wednesday in a one-sentence letter to county commissioners, local GOP leaders and the county Board of Elections.
The local party has 45 days to fill the position after the resignation takes effect, according to Matt Finfgeld, the local board of elections director.
According to Ohio Revised Code 305.02, a county board of commissioners may appoint someone to fill the prosecutor’s position until a successor is selected by his or her party.
It’s the second time this year Bishop has announced his plans to step down.
In a one-sentence letter on Jan. 26, Bishop had announced he planned to retire effective April 10 “due to personal health concerns.”
Bishop said in November he had been diagnosed with cancer about a month before the murder trial of John Mack Jr., an effort that resulted in a conviction.
“My prognosis is good. I’m not trying to make this about me,” Bishop said during a press conference after Mack’s sentencing.
However, on March 16, Bishop rescinded his retirement plans.
In a letter to Richland County commissioners, local Republican Party leaders and the county Board of Elections, Bishop said a “change in circumstances” led him to change his mind.
“Due to a change in circumstances, I will no longer be pursuing a retirement date of April 10, 2023 or any other specified date for that matter,” Bishop wrote on March 16.
“Instead, I intend to serve my full term as Richland County Prosecutor through December 31, 2024, or as otherwise determined,” wrote Bishop, who was elected prosecutor in 2016 and ran unopposed for re-election in 2020.
“I hereby rescind and withdraw my previously circulated letter and apologize for any confusion or inconvenience it may have caused,” he wrote.
“I feel I still have much to contribute toward Richland County and look forward to serving our citizens through the end of my elected term,” Bishop wrote.
Bishop’s legal career spans 35 years, earning his law degree from the University of Toledo College of Law in 1986.
He began working as an assistant Wood County prosecutor from 1987 to 2005, the last 12 years as the office’s chief assistant.
Bishop joined the Richland County Prosecutor’s Office in 2005. He successfully prosecuted more than 70 felony jury trials and was promoted to chief criminal trial attorney by Mayer.
In 2015, Bishop began working as a criminal trial attorney for Ashland County Prosecutor Attorney Christopher Tunnell and was soon promoted to First Assistant Prosecutor.
While working in Ashland County, Bishop campaigned for the Richland County prosecutor’s office, defeating Bambi Couch-Page and taking office in January 2017.
