The following is a presentation of FCB Faith. This is Keeping America First with Bishop John T. Coates and Reverend Jeff Jemison on FCB Faith. We're in the midst of an incredibly important election season, and we're happy to have with us a special guest. Jacob Westfall, who is a candidate for the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas General Division. Jacob, how are you this morning? I'm good. Thanks for having me. Good. This is a very busy season and time of the year. We want to get right into it. What inspired you to run for the court? And what experiences do you have or bring to the court? So in terms of inspiration, I've actually wanted to be a judge since I was like in the third grade. It's been a lifelong dream of mine. So it was always in the cards for me to run at some point. And there was an opportunity to run this time around. So here I am. As far as my experience goes, I've been both a public defender and a prosecutor. I've worked across three different counties in Ohio. I've dealt with counties. of all different sizes. I was in Huron County, which is very small. I've worked in Cuyahoga County, which, as we know, is pretty big. And I'm currently working in Medina County, which is sort of somewhere in the middle. I have, I've only been licensed since 2019. That's kind of, that's the big red flag that people see, that sort of lack of experience. But the experience that I have had has been very good experience. I've been in the courtroom nearly every day since I got my law license. And it's been entirely dedicated to public service, which I want to continue on the bench. Well, that's good to hear. And I think just having served in those three different counties gives you a lot of experience of working with different people from all various walks of life. I think that really is important. And oftentimes the courts do need a fresh, voice and perspective. Just kind of looking back and thinking back, there have been so many judges that have been reprimanded, removed, et cetera. And I think it's so important that we do have new blood, new people with, like I said, good, fresh perspectives. Now, what will be your judicial temperament as you go to the bench? So I think plan to always be respectful, always be fair to everyone in front of me. I will try my best to be patient, but I'm also going to be firm when I need to be, which is, I think, kind of an issue that this county has had with judges in the. Past, not being firm. So Statistically, over the last couple years, nationwide violent crime rates have been down, and that's true in Cuyahoga County as well. But the average violent crime rate in Cuyahoga County is about double what the national average is. And just looking at the size of the county, the rate of violent crime, and the fact that we're about three-quarters of the way through the year right now, we should be sitting at about 5,400 cases. incidents of violent crime in Cuyahoga County so far this year. According to BCI, there have been 84 prison sentences in Cuyahoga. County this year. And that's something that I do not plan to go along with. If I have violent criminals in front of me, repeat offenders in front of me, I want to get them out of the community. so that people can feel safe going to work, raising a family, going out to have a night on the town, doing whatever they want to do. I want to protect the good people of this community from the people out there that are wanting to hurt us. That's one of the most important things for the success of any community, public safety. No one wants to live in a place where they feel unsafe. No one wants to visit or drive or start a business, start a family in a location where they don't feel safe. So I think that's incredibly important. Now, you talked about your judicial temperament. I think that's something that a lot of folks, even a lot of leaders, even in the faith community can relate to. There have been so many instances where. Religious leaders and respectful people in the community's had to literally go out and campaign against judges who they helped elect because once they got on the bench, they literally changed and became a totally different person. And that's something to be very careful of. Once the people elect you to a public office, especially being a judge, you can't forget where you came from. You can't forget the humility of that you took to the court and you can't become a little God. And I think that's been a problem with several judges in the past. And I'm so happy to hear you say that you will not do that. And your priority is people first. And building on that, you know, I'm I'm new to politics. This is my first time running for any office. So to be quite frank, I don't know enough to make up what people want to hear. When I talk to people, I'm saying, you know, I'm telling you who I am. I'm telling you what I actually believe. And that's what I'm going to carry to the bench with me. Please do. Now, how do you plan to stay connected with citizens and community organizations once you're elected to the bench? Jacob Westfall. I just want everyone to remember that name. Jacob Westfall. Yep. How do you stay connected with folks afterwards? So, I mean, it takes a lot of work. I have not been particularly community involved up until I got involved with this campaign, just because there were all these organizations that I didn't even know existed. Now they're on my radar. I have made great friends with people in a lot of community based organizations. I've met so many people doing this, and I fully intend to stay connected with them, to stay connected with their organizations, to help out where and when I can. And I'm looking forward to that. And that's whether I win the election or not. I want to be more involved in the community, and I intend to be. Well, I like that humility when you say whether I win or not, because that's so important. And just please keep that perspective and Like I said, remember that it's the people who. Are going to vote for you, Jacob Westphal. Why do you feel you should be elected? And, you know, that's a big question for our audience. Why should I go elect Jacob Westphal? Why should I vote for Mr. Westphal to be my judge? Well, like I said earlier, I am driven and dedicated when it comes to protecting the community, to making sure that this is a safe county for everyone to live in. And I want to really work at that. I want to make sure that our streets are as safe as they can be. And the reason why you should vote for me in particular, I've got nothing bad to say about my opponent. She's a nice lady. She's got a good heart. She's very kind. But that's not what we need in a judge necessarily. We need someone who is willing to lay down the law literally and do what it takes to protect the community. And that is what I intend to do. And that is what. So many judges here in this county have not done for decades. That's good to know. Also, Jacob, I'm just going to give you a minute just to tell us a little bit. You know, just look, you've got the mic right now. Just tell us whatever you want. Talk to the voters. Sure. I'll just give a little bit of background about myself, I guess. I'm originally from a cornfield in the middle of Lorain County. I married a Parma girl, so I live in Parma now. I've lived here since beginning of 2020. We went to law school together. We went to college together. So it's been a good life, and I am very much... Looking forward to serving my community, continuing to grow in my place here in this county. I am a church man. I'm a family man. And I want to be a community man more. Thank you for having me here on your podcast. And to all of the listeners out there, again, my name is Jacob Westfall, and I thank all of you. for taking the time to listen. And I very humbly ask you for your votes when it comes to November. Jacob, how can people get involved with your campaign or reach out to you if they have questions or just kind of want to get more involved with you? The best way to reach my campaign is via email. You can email the campaign at jwestfall, that's j-w-e-s-t-f-a-l-l at westfallforjudge.com. All right, Jacob Westfall. I know it's a busy time. You've got Your calendar is full, and I know the candidates are just making it around to everywhere and trying to get. To meet as many people as possible. I hope that our listeners will remember that name, Jacob Westfall, as we make vote this November. And actually, early voting starts on October the 6th. Yeah, coming up. Yes, throughout November. This election season, get out, tell people about Jacob Westfall, a dynamite person, ready to take his experience and judicial temperament to the courts to add that flavor, that experience, that personality, and that wisdom, that experience that we need to just be a good judge on the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas General Division. Jacob Westfall, thank you. Get out there, keep campaigning. And to our listeners, let's remember to keep doing the best that we can to make our state great, our communities great, and this nation great. God bless you all. Thank you.
