John Payne entered in his petition for the open seat at the Allen County Board of Elections. Payne currently presides over cases ranging from felony preliminary hearings to traffic violations in addition to the civil docket. The judge magistrate also presides over the city's veterans treatment court. Payne says that he aims to improve accountability when it comes to the court system.

It was another packed courtroom in downtown Lima, this time for the swearing in of the new common pleas court judge.