Proctorville village solicitor and Huntington attorney Andrew Ballard, 40, will face Ironton Municipal Judge O. Clark Collins Jr., 69, on the November ballot.

The two attorneys are seeking the common pleas judge seat left vacant following the death of D. Scott Bowling. Bowling died on July 31 after an almost four-year battle with ALS.

Ballard was nominated by the Democrats at a central committee meeting on Thursday. Collins was chosen by the Republicans on Tuesday. Ballard was nominated by J.T. Holt and seconded by Terry Null.

In a prepared statement Ballard wrote, “I had tremendous respect for Judge Bowling. After he passed I told my wife that if I was half the man Scott was, I would be twice the man I am. …. I think it is important for you to know that I recognize the size of the shoes he left behind and I will work as hard as I can to grow into them if given the opportunity by the voters in Lawrence County.”

Ballard is an Ironton High School graduate who earned his law degree in 2003 from the University of Kentucky.

After graduation, he joined the firm of Campbell Woods in Huntington where he worked for approximately 10 years. He then took a partnership with Anspach Meeks Ellenberger. He became village solicitor in 2011.

“I ask for your support in November, said Ballard, who attended the meeting via Skype. “This is important for me and my family and it is important for Lawrence County. Let’s roll up our sleeves and let’s go win this thing.”

Salary for common pleas judge is $127,450. Currently Collins makes $119,850 as a full-time municipal judge.

Whoever wins the election will serve for the next four years.