CINCINNATI — The Hamilton County Democratic Party has selected a veteran local attorney and former judicial candidate to replace Aftab Pureval as the county’s clerk of courts.
The local Democratic Party’s Central Committee unanimously selected Pavan Parikh on Wednesday night.
By law, the party of the person elected to the position has the right to select a replacement. The appointment had to be made between five and 45 days after the vacancy occurred.
Both Pureval and Parikh are Democrats.
“In the last few election cycles, the voters have spoken that they wanted change at the courthouse. Under Aftab’s leadership, we have seen how critical the clerk is to achieving meaningful reform,” said Parikh, who’s also a judge advocate in the U.S. Army Reserve.
“I believe that I can be of strong service to Hamilton County in this role having worked at the courthouse and leaning on my years of experience as an attorney, Army officer, business executive, educator and civic leader,” he continued. “I look forward to helping make our justice system work better for all of the people of Hamilton County.”
Parikh will take office immediately and serve at least through November, when a special election will be held for the rest of the current term, which ends Jan. 5, 2025.
Pureval resigned from the position Dec. 20 to allow the appointment process for his replacement to begin. Pureval will be sworn in as Cincinnati mayor Tuesday, Jan. 4.
“Tonight, the (Hamilton County Democratic Party) appointed a world-class leader and servant to fill my seat as Clerk of Courts. Pavan Parikh has the character, experience, and resolve to expand access to justice and bring our courthouse to new heights,” Pureval tweeted following the vote.
“It’ll be my honor to partner with (him).”
Following the appointment, Alex Triantafilou, chairperson of the Hamilton County GOP, said local Republicans will vigorously contest this seat in 2022.
In a response to an Enquirer story on Twitter, Triantafilou somewhat playfully accused the local Democratic Party of using the position as a stepping stone.
Parikh has twice run for judicial office and came up short both times.
In 2018, Parikh came in third in a spot for one of two seats on the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas. He lost to incumbents Lisa Allen and Leslie Ghiz, both Republicans.
He lost a head-to-head matchup in 2020 to Ralph E. Winkler (Republican) in the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas Probate race.
It’s the job of the clerk of courts' office to maintain court records, process filings, enter judgments, manage the flow of cases and handle some personnel responsibilities, such as courtroom security. The office also processes traffic tickets and passport applications.