Lawyer withdraws from Clark County race, then changes mind

Special prosecutor to write opinion for board of elections.

A Springfield lawyer who filed to challenge Clark County Prosecutor Andy Wilson in the November election withdrew from the race earlier this week but hours later asked to rescind his request, Clark County Board of Elections officials confirmed Friday.

Ed Frizzell, a Democrat, withdrew from the race at 4 p.m. Wednesday and by about 8:30 p.m. advised election officials that he had changed his mind.

Assistant Prosecutor Andrew Pickering was contacted Wednesday night about the matter and advised that a special prosecutor would be appointed to review Frizzell’s request, Board of Elections Deputy Director Jason Baker said.

Baker said a ruling on the matter is expected soon from the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office, where Elizabeth A. Ellis is the chief prosecutor.

“She’s the one that’s going to make the ruling if he can withdraw his withdraw,” Baker said. “The special prosecutor is reviewing the information provided to her and should have her opinion written shortly.”

The ruling has to come from a local prosecutor’s office, because the state won’t issue a ruling on the issue, he said.

Frizzell has been a partner at Geyer, Herier & Frizzell since 2007 and is a member of the Clark County Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Association.

He couldn’t be reached for comment Friday afternoon.

Wilson, a Republican, is seeking re-election. He first took office as county prosecutor in 2011.

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