By Dan Horn
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Republican Fred Nelson won the only contested race for Hamilton County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday, topping Cincinnati lawyer Bruce Whitman by a 60-40 margin.

Mr. Nelson will succeed Judge Fred Cartolano, who retires in February.

Mr. Nelson, 44, worked as a White House lawyer for President Reagan and the first President Bush. He also has practiced civil litigation for a local law firm and has been an adviser to U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot.

During the campaign, Mr. Whitman, 50, said his experience as a trial lawyer in Cincinnati for 22 years was far more practical training for a prospective judge.

Mr. Nelson joins a Common Pleas Court already dominated by Republicans, who hold 14 of the court's 16 seats.