CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Mayor Luke Feeney, a longtime fixture in Chillicothe’s city government, has declared his candidacy for Judge of the Chillicothe Municipal Court. Feeney made the announcement in a detailed Facebook post reflecting on his career and his decision to pursue a new direction.
“Serving as Mayor of Chillicothe has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Feeney wrote. “Over the last 12 years, first as City Auditor and the last 9 as Mayor, I’ve been humbled to work with so many amazing people to keep our city moving forward.”
During his tenure, Feeney emphasized his commitment to addressing community challenges and advancing local initiatives. “We’ve faced challenges head-on, celebrated big wins, and made real progress together. I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve built as a community and I’ve loved every moment of working to make our city better,” he stated.
Announcing his judicial campaign, Feeney expressed both excitement and apprehension about the new challenge. “This is a big step, and honestly, a little nerve-wracking—but I’m excited to announce that I’m running for Judge of the Chillicothe Municipal Court!” he revealed. He noted the opening of the judicial seat, which has not been available for nearly three decades, as a significant opportunity.
With a background as an attorney and a deep connection to the community, Feeney believes he is well-prepared for the judiciary. “My experience as an attorney, combined with years of working with and hearing from folks in this community, has given me the perspective and skills to take on this next step,” he explained.
Feeney confirmed that he would resign as mayor if elected to the judicial position. “If elected, I will step down as Mayor to take on this new role. This may be a new chapter, but my passion for supporting our community remains just as strong,” he affirmed.