Commissioners appoint Scott Deedrick as acting prosecuting attorney after 2-1 vote

Commissioner Kristin Zemis and Commissioner Mitch Pace voted Feb. 25 to appoint Scott Deedrick as Acting Prosecuting Attorney for Tuscarawas County effective March 2, 2026; Commissioner Greg Ress opposed the appointment.

The board moved to make the appointment under Ohio law (O.R.C. 305.02(D)) after the resignation of Ryan Styer, who has been appointed a Common Pleas Judge. The appointment is intended to remain in effect only until the county Republican Central Committee selects a replacement later in March.

"We are taking this action out of operational necessity," Commissioner Kristin Zemis said, explaining that Deedrick, as the most senior assistant prosecuting attorney, had taken over the majority of cases and leadership while Styer transitioned to the bench. "This should not be seen by any person as an endorsement of any potential candidate for the upcoming vacancy for whomever the Central Committee will be naming as the new Prosecuting Attorney sometime later in the month of March."

Commissioner Greg Ress voted no. "I feel this is an unfortunate situation for me to be in because there are two people who are vying for that position; Scott Deedrick and Brett Hillyer. I don't want this to look in any way as an endorsement. That is my concern," Ress said, saying he preferred the Central Committee decide at its March 19 meeting.

Commissioner Mitch Pace, who moved the appointment, said the decision was intended to keep the office functioning smoothly during the transition. "We are making this acting appointment based on keeping the office running as smoothly as possible between now and then. I am looking forward to the Central Committee Meeting on the 19th," Pace said.

The appointment was approved by roll call: Kristin Zemis yes; Greg Ress no; Mitch Pace yes. The board recorded the action as Resolution 147-2026. The county did not take a separate formal vote on a permanent replacement during the meeting.