On Tuesday, voters in Ironton elected Kevin Waldo as Ironton Municipal Court judge, filling the position being vacated by O. Clarke Collins Jr., who has reached mandatory retirement age.

Waldo won over his opponent, attorney and Coal Grove solicitor Mark McCown, in a close race, with the margin of victory being little over half a percent.

The closeness was indicative of the nature of the campaign, in which voters had a choice between two outstanding candidates with a wealth of qualifications, as could be seen at The Tribune’s candidate forum at Ohio University Southern last month.

Waldo, as an attorney, a member of Ironton’s city council and through his work at the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s office, has a resume featuring a lifetime of experience.

Waldo entered the campaign after rebounding from a heart attack. He said his mission in running was to “restore trust” in the courts, particularly in Ironton.

He also emphasized the need for compassion in dealing with those addicted due to the opioid crisis in the region.

His opponent, while younger, was not lacking in qualifications in the least. As a Georgetown University graduate, he could have taken a job in a more populated locale, but chose to work in Ironton, where he has been a practicing attorney and member of a number of civic organizations. He has also served as Hanging Rock’s solicitor, a labor negotiator for Ironton and Lawrence County and a governor of the Ohio State Bar Association.

McCown focused on the need for transparency in the courts and the modernization of the city’s courtroom.

Both candidates ran a clean campaign and, at times, spoke highly of the other, conceding their opponents qualifications.

We congratulate Waldo on his hard-fought win and wish him well in his work in the position. As for McCown, he made a respectable showing in his first run and likely has a bright future in politics, should he pursue it.

Both candidates ran a race that the city can be proud of and are an asset to the region.