LISBON — The Columbiana County Republican Party is expected to recommend up to three candidates to replace county Municipal Court Judge Charles “Chris” Amato when it meets Jan. 17.

GOP Party Chairman David Johnson announced Wednesday he has appointed an ad hoc screening committee to review the applications of those wishing to replace Amato, who announced Monday he was stepping down Feb. 2 because an illness involving a family member will require he take off two to three months to help provide care.

The committee will be chaired by Republican Party Vice Chairman Adam Booth. The other two members are county Auditor Nancy Milliken and Perry Township Trustee Jim Armeni.

“All three of these screening committee members have served many years as Republican Central Committee members and are highly respected for their service and devotion to civic affairs of the county,” he said.

The three served in the same capacity in 2015 when Amato was appointed by Gov. John Kasich to replace Municipal Court Judge Carol Robb after she was elected to the Ohio 7th District Court of Appeals. Like Robb, Amato is a Republican, so the county GOP is tasked with submitting a list of candidates for Kasich to choose from.

In 2015, the county Republican Party submitted three names: Amato, county domestic relations magistrate J. Bradley Allison and Megan Bickerton, an assistant county prosecutor. Johnson said he will again recommend they submit up to three names for Kasich to choose from, along with a recommendation.

The governor’s office will also conduct its own interviews.

Anyone interested in applying for the appointment can send their resume to Johnson at dwjohnson@summitville.com or call him at 330-223-1511.

“This screening process will be on the fast track so any interested candidates are urged not to delay expressing any interest which they may have,” he said.

tgiambroni@mojonews.com