Local Democratic honcho James Ruvolo has resigned from the Lucas County Board of Elections with about six weeks left in his term, and former appeals Judge Keila Cosme has been recommended to replace him.

Mr. Ruvolo, who leaves during a turbulent period for the board, said Friday he was stepping down because his business as a political and health-care consultant is taking more of his time than he expected and he can't give the board the time it needs.

He said he also wanted his successor to be able to participate in hiring a new director. The former director, Republican Ben Roberts, quit in December complaining of a "caustic" partisan environment.

The board's deadline for applications for candidates to replace Mr. Roberts was Friday.

"I thought my business was going to wind down. It's picked up," Mr. Ruvolo said.

The Lucas County Democratic Party Executive Committee recommended Ms. Cosme for the time remaining in Mr. Ruvolo's current term and for the four-year term beginning March 1.

Ron Rothenbuhler, party chairman and a Democratic member of the elections board, said Ms. Cosme's name would be forwarded to Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted. Normal practice is for the secretary of state to appoint the person recommended by the party.

Ms. Cosme of Sylvania Township was appointed in 2009 by former Gov. Ted Strickland to an unfinished term on the Ohio Sixth District Court of Appeals. She lost her election bid in 2010.

She is pursuing an executive master's degree in international business law from Boston University law school. Ms. Cosme is a former partner at the law firm Cosme, D'Angelo & Szollosi.

A former state Democratic chairman, Mr. Ruvolo joined the board in October to replace Rita Clark of Oregon, who quit in August saying Republican board member Jon Stainbrook created an atmosphere of "harassment and intimidation."

Mr. Ruvolo's appointment was seen as an effort by the Democratic Party to put someone on the board who could wage partisan combat with Mr. Stainbrook.

That is what happened, and board meetings sometimes bogged down in disputes over procedure or personnel decisions with Mr. Ruvolo and Mr. Stainbrook on opposite sides.

Mr. Ruvolo admitted he found the board's disagreements frustrating, but said that wasn't why he was leaving. "I think Ron and I have done a good job of trying to keep it on track for the people of the county and I think Keila Cosme will do the same thing," Mr. Ruvolo said.

Mr. Stainbrook said he looked forward to working with Ms. Cosme, whom he called a well-respected attorney.

"Jim was a very partisan Democrat who defended the rights of the Democrats as much as he could," Mr. Stainbrook said. "Jim was a formidable opponent and I'll miss him at the meetings."

Contact Tom Troy at: tomtroy@theblade.com or 419-724-6058.

First Published January 20, 2012, 6:47 p.m.