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Brett Horton
From Ballotpedia
Brett Horton is running in a special election for judge of the Cleveland Municipal Court in Ohio. He is on the ballot in the special general election on November 4, 2025.[source]
Horton completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Brett Horton was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Horton earned a high school diploma from Benedictine High School, a bachelor's degree from Morehouse College in 1991, and a law degree from Case Western Reserve University in 1994. His career experience includes working as an attorney at law. As of 2025, Horton was affiliated with the Norman S. Minor Bar Association and the 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, Inc.[1]
Elections
2025
See also: City elections in Cleveland, Ohio (2025)
General election
The general election will occur on November 4, 2025.
Special general election for Cleveland Municipal Court
Incumbent Christopher Woodworth, Brett Horton, Nikki McGowan, and Joseph F. Russo are running in the special general election for Cleveland Municipal Court on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | ||
| Christopher Woodworth (Nonpartisan) | ||
 | Brett Horton (Nonpartisan)  | |
 | Nikki McGowan (Nonpartisan) | |
| Joseph F. Russo (Nonpartisan) | ||
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Ray Tarasuck (Nonpartisan)
Endorsements
To view Horton's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. To send us an endorsement, click here.
Campaign themes
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Brett Horton completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Horton's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I’m a lifelong Clevelander, a proud father of two, and a graduate of Benedictine High School. I earned my bachelor’s degree in political science from Morehouse College and my law degree from Case Western Reserve University. With a family rooted in the law—my father has practiced for over 50 years and my stepmother served as a judge on the Cleveland Municipal Court—I’ve grown up with a deep respect for fairness and justice. I believe every person deserves dignity and equal treatment before the court, and that belief continues to guide my work today.
With 30 years of legal experience, I’ve had the privilege of representing organizations that serve Cleveland, including the City of Cleveland, the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, and Step Forward. This work has given me a deep understanding of the issues our community faces and reinforced my belief that a judge must be both experienced and compassionate in delivering justice for all. I’ve also represented individuals who could not afford a lawyer, pro bono, helping them find pathways forward. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see them now contributing positively to our community.
- I bring 30 years of legal experience to my candidacy for Cleveland Municipal Court Judge. I’ve represented organizations that serve the City of Cleveland as well as individuals in Municipal Court. Through this work, I understand the challenges of the courtroom and the importance of applying the law with both fairness and compassion. My legal knowledge, professional experience, deep connection to the community, and respect for people have prepared me to serve with integrity and ensure justice is delivered equally to all.
- I am a lifelong Clevelander who understands the issues our city faces. From housing insecurity and unemployment to public safety and access to justice, I know how important it is for a Municipal Court judge to be rooted in the realities of the community. In Cleveland, many who appear in Municipal Court are dealing with these very challenges. My 30 years of legal experience, representing both community-serving organizations and individuals who could not afford a lawyer, have given me a deep perspective on how these issues affect people’s lives. That perspective matters on the bench, where every decision must balance knowledge of the law with an understanding of the real struggles our community faces.
- I have dedicated my life to service and the community. My commitment goes beyond the courtroom; I’ve mentored and tutored Cleveland youth for 30 years. I strive to live the motto, “What They See Is What They’ll Be,” because I know how much it matters for young people to have consistent guidance. Service to others has always been at the heart of who I am, and it continues to guide the way I serve our community today.
I’m passionate about policies that promote fairness and opportunity in Cleveland like addressing housing insecurity, supporting pathways to employment, and expanding access to justice. These challenges often surface in Municipal Court, where evictions, minor offenses, and other barriers can prevent people from moving forward. I believe judges have a responsibility to apply the law while also understanding the broader policies that affect people’s lives. My focus is not only on upholding the law, but on advancing solutions that help individuals become stable.
I think that the most important characteristics of an elected official are integrity, accountability, and a genuine commitment to service. When someone is entrusted by the public to serve, they must be guided by principles that place the people first and ensure decisions are made with honesty and transparency. Integrity is the foundation. Without it, trust is broken, and an elected official cannot lead effectively. People need to believe that their representatives are making decisions because it is what’s best for the community. Accountability is also critical. Elected officials have to be open to scrutiny, willing to listen to constituents, and ready to take responsibility for their decisions. That accountability creates confidence in the fairness of the system and builds stronger connections between government and the people it serves. Finally, I think that a spirit of service should guide the actions of elected officials. Government at its best is about improving people’s lives by helping communities overcome challenges, creating opportunities, and ensuring everyone has access to justice. Elected officials who listen with empathy and act with purpose can make positive change.
The core responsibility of a Municipal Court judge is to ensure justice by making sure proceedings are fair and rights are protected. Judges must apply the law with integrity, impose fair sentences, and, when appropriate, support diversion programs that address root causes. Just as important, they must uphold the public’s trust by balancing accountability with compassion, ensuring justice is consistent while promoting community wellbeing. The role of Cleveland Municipal Court judge is vital to our city. With 30 years of practicing law, I’ve represented clients in Municipal Court and understand the importance of fair proceedings and protecting the rights of all who appear before the bench. I believe justice should be guided by both accountability and compassion to strengthen Cleveland’s future.
I want my legacy to be that of a good person who always strived to do what was right and worked to leave both the world and the Cleveland community a better place. For me, that means serving others with honesty, fairness, and compassion, whether in the courtroom, through mentorship, or in everyday life. I believe true impact comes from lifting others, protecting their rights, and ensuring everyone is treated with dignity and respect. I would like to be remembered as someone who used his knowledge, experience, and values to make our community stronger.
Yes. Many people don't realize how much discretion Municipal Court judges have to connect individuals to community-based programs, including diversion, treatment, and restorative justice options. A judge’s choices can help people stabilize their lives and ultimately reduce recidivism. I believe that this court is not only a place of accountability, but also a potential turning point for people who need a second chance.
My legal philosophy is rooted in fairness, integrity, and access to justice. I believe that every person who comes before the court deserves to be heard and treated equally under the law. The law should be applied consistently, but with an understanding of the human circumstances involved.
I admire Thurgood Marshall, the first African American on the U.S. Supreme Court, for his courage and persistence in pursuing justice. As an NAACP attorney, he was pivotal in ending school segregation by arguing Brown v. Board of Education. His unwavering commitment to fairness and dignity for all, shaped by his own experiences with discrimination, allowed him to break barriers and open doors for others. His legacy shows that the law can be a powerful force for equality and progress, moving society forward.
Absolutely. Empathy allows a judge to listen with genuine understanding, especially when people are facing crises or navigating the legal system without representation. While empathy does not override the law, it informs a judge’s ability to make fair, thoughtful decisions that account for the real lives behind each case.
I have not been rated by a Bar Association, but I bring 30 years of legal experience serving the community, representing the City of Cleveland, the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, and Step Forward. I have also represented individuals who could not afford a lawyer, pro bono, and helped them with pathways forward. I am happy to see them today thriving and giving back as members of our community.
Cleveland Municipal Court is where so many people first interact with the justice system. I’ve practiced in this court for over 30 years and know how powerful those first interactions can be. I’m running because our community deserves a judge who understands the law, the people it serves, and the opportunity this court has to uphold fairness while helping people move forward.
I believe that for Municipal Court, courtroom experience, community involvement, and a deep understanding of the real challenges people face matter most. I would bring all of that to the bench.
One of my concerns is the inequity in access to justice, particularly for low-income individuals. We must do more to ensure that the justice system doesn’t penalize poverty, and that everyone is treated fairly.
The greatest opportunity is to make justice more equitable and restorative by expanding diversion programs, investing in reentry support, and using data to eliminate racial and economic disparities. Judges can lead by example in ensuring that our courts are not just punitive, but part of the solution.
Right now, my focus is on serving Cleveland as a Municipal Court Judge. This court touches lives directly and urgently. If the opportunity arose in the future and I believed I could continue to make a meaningful impact, I may consider it, but my heart is in serving Cleveland where I feel the need is greatest.
I haven’t been through this particular rating process myself, so I can’t really reflect on it directly. That said, I do think ratings can be helpful, but they are just one measure of qualification. There are many important factors for judging qualifications, including legal experience, knowledge of the law, lived experience, deep integrity, professional competence, temperament, personal values, and a genuine connection to the community.
Cuyahoga County Progressive Caucus; The Collective PAC; Earle B. Turner-Cleveland Clerk of Courts; Keith Benjamin-Bratenahl Mayor; Terrence Upchurch-Ohio State Rep; Darnell Brewer-Ohio State Rep; Rev. Caviness-Pastor at Greater Abyssinia Baptist Church; Rev. Hilton O. Smith-Former President of the NAACP Cleveland; Rev. Leonard T. King-Pastor at First Zion Missionary Baptist Church; David Dews-Bratenahl Councilman; Kevin Conwell-Cleveland City Councilman; Kris Harsh-Cleveland City Councilman; Stephanie Howse-Jones-Cleveland City Councilwoman; Rebecca Maurer-Cleveland City Councilwoman; Michael Nelson-Retired Judge; Meredith Turner-Cuyahoga County Councilwoman; Yvonne Conwell-Cuyahoga County Councilwoman; Margaret Wong-Immigration Attorney
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2025 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 7, 2025
Ohio courts
Federal courts:
Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Northern District of Ohio, Southern District of Ohio • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Northern District of Ohio, Southern District of Ohio
State courts:
Ohio Supreme Court • Ohio District Courts of Appeal • Ohio Courts of Common Pleas • Ohio County Courts • Ohio Municipal Courts • Ohio Court of Claims
State resources:
Courts in Ohio • Ohio judicial elections • Judicial selection in Ohio
