On January 10, 2025, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced the appointment of Keith Washburn to the Chillicothe Municipal Court.

Judge Washburn, of Chillicothe, assumed office on February 3, 2025, and takes the seat formerly held by Judge Toni Eddy, who retired. Judge Washburn will serve the remainder of the unfinished term and will run for election to that seat in November 2025.

Judge Washburn began his law career in 2018 as a practicing attorney and the owner of Washburn Law Office. From May 2020 to October 2020, he served as an assistant prosecuting attorney for the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office. Since September 2020, he has worked as a staff attorney for the Fraternal Order of Police Ohio Labor Council.

Judge Washburn also had an extensive career in law enforcement. In 1995, he joined the city of Chillicothe Police Department as a patrolman and later became the chief of police until May 2020. He also was an instructor for the Ohio University Chillicothe Southern Police Training Institute from 2007 to 2016.

From 1990 to 1993, Judge Washburn served as an Intelligence Analyst Specialist in the 4th Infantry Division of the United States Army.

In 2012, Judge Washburn received an associate's degree in law enforcement technology, and in 2013, a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Ohio University. He earned his juris doctorate from Capital University Law School in 2018.

Judge Washburn and his wife, the former Stephanie Drake, have lived in Chillicothe the past 30 years. They have two sons, Nicholas and Nathaniel, who both attended Chillicothe City Schools. Judge Washburn and his family spend their free time in the outdoors. Judge Washburn has served on numerous boards and committees to include: The Hope Partnership Project, The YMCA Board of Directors, Ross County Community Action Corporation, The Ohio Drug Law Enforcement Executive Committee, and the Ohio Law Enforcement Automated Data System (LEADS) Steering Committee.