On Tuesday, Hamilton County Sessions Judge Ron Durby announced that he is stepping away – temporarily, he hopes – to address an unspecified medical condition. We wish Durby nothing but the best in his recovery and hope he returns to the bench.
But he won’t.
Not because he won’t be able to, but because Durby’s decision to step aside is seemingly part of a carefully orchestrated scheme by Hamilton County insiders to ensure that former Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey and other local power brokers can determine who holds the seat going forward.
Apparently Durby’s exit has been months in the making. If he left too early, his seat would’ve filled during the August election. If Durby officially retired, his seat would’ve been filled by the Hamilton County Commission.
By leaving after the August election and claiming he plans to only step aside temporarily – despite the fact that there is no compelling evidence that he expects, or desires, to return to the bench – state law allows the governor to appoint the temporary replacement.