Judge Charles F. Kurfess is seeking re-election to the General Division of the Court of Common Pleas of Wood County. He is completing his first term on the bench, having been elected to that position in 1990. The general division handles criminal, civil and domestic relations matters as well as appeals from some local and state administrative agencies. ''I have enjoyed the opportunity of serving Wood County in this judicial position for the last five years and making a contribution to our justice system. I believe and trust my record merits my re-election for another term,'' he said in announcing his candidacy.

Before assuming his judgeship, Kurfess had engaged in the general practice of law with an office in Bowling Green for 33 years. During that period he also served 22 years as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, including six years as speaker of the House. He received national recognition as president of the National Legislative Conference, as a presidential appointee to the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations and as member of the Executive Committee of the Council of State Governments.

Kurfess was honored as Outstanding Young Man of 1965 by the Bowling Green Jaycees, and was recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Bowling Green State University in 1967 and the Legislative Leadership Citation from the Citizens Conference on State Legislatures in 1971. He has served on the boards of trustees of a number of state and area organizations including the Otterbein-Portage Valley Nursing Home, Wood County District Public Library, Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce, Family Services of Northwest Ohio and Citizens Council for Ohio Schools.

In addition, Kurfess is currently serving on the Legislative Committees of the Ohio Judicial Conference and the Common Pleas Judges Association and on the Judicial Administration and Legal Reform Committee of the Ohio State Bar Association. He presently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Ohio Historical Society by appointment of Gov. George Voinovich. Kurfess is married to the former Helyn Rudolph. They have three adult children and four grand children residing in Wood County.