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Jennifer Lee Hensal
2012 - Present
2031
13
Jennifer Lee Hensal (Republican Party) is a judge of the Ohio Ninth District Court of Appeals. She assumed office in 2012. Her current term ends on February 8, 2031.
Hensal (Republican Party) ran for re-election for judge of the Ohio Ninth District Court of Appeals. She won in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Education
Hensal received her undergraduate degree from the University of Akron in 1989 and her J.D. from the University of Toledo in 1993.[1][2]
Career
Prior to joining the court, Hensal was a partner and chief financial officer for the law firm of Lesiak, Hensal & Hathcock, LLC in Medina Township, Ohio. She also served as an assistant law director and prosecutor for the City of Wadsworth and as an assistant village solicitor for the Village of Seville in Ohio. Hensal also previously served as a prosecutor for the City of Medina and as an assistant village solicitor for the Village of Lodi.[2]
Awards and associations
- Member, Ohio State Bar Association
- Member, Akron Bar Association
- Past President, Medina County Bar Association
- Chairperson, Character and Fitness Committee, Medina County Bar Association
- Member, Buchtel Cluster PTA
- Member, First Christian Church of Wadsworth
- Soccer coach, Valley City Soccer Association
- Judge, Ohio State Mock Trial Competition
- President, Board of Directors, Csárdás Dance Company[2]
Elections
2024
See also: Ohio intermediate appellate court elections, 2024
General election
General election for Ohio Ninth District Court of Appeals
Incumbent Jennifer Lee Hensal defeated Steve Elliott in the general election for Ohio Ninth District Court of Appeals on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jennifer Lee Hensal (R) | 54.2 | 298,562 |
| Steve Elliott (D) | 45.8 | 252,078 | ||
| Total votes: 550,640 | |||
 = 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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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Ohio Ninth District Court of Appeals
Steve Elliott advanced from the Democratic primary for Ohio Ninth District Court of Appeals on March 19, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Steve Elliott | 100.0 | 52,303 | |
| Total votes: 52,303 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Ohio Ninth District Court of Appeals
Incumbent Jennifer Lee Hensal advanced from the Republican primary for Ohio Ninth District Court of Appeals on March 19, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jennifer Lee Hensal | 100.0 | 74,435 |
| Total votes: 74,435 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign finance
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Hensal in this election.
2018
General election
General election for Ohio Ninth District Court of Appeals
Incumbent Jennifer Lee Hensal defeated Diana Colavecchio in the general election for Ohio Ninth District Court of Appeals on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jennifer Lee Hensal (R) | 52.2 | 179,997 |
 | Diana Colavecchio (D) | 47.8 | 164,567 | |
| Total votes: 344,564 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Ohio Ninth District Court of Appeals
Diana Colavecchio advanced from the Democratic primary for Ohio Ninth District Court of Appeals on May 8, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Diana Colavecchio | 100.0 | 53,692 |
| Total votes: 53,692 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Ohio Ninth District Court of Appeals
Incumbent Jennifer Lee Hensal advanced from the Republican primary for Ohio Ninth District Court of Appeals on May 8, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jennifer Lee Hensal | 100.0 | 52,115 |
| Total votes: 52,115 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Selection method
The judges of the Ohio District Courts of Appeals are selected through partisan primary elections followed by nonpartisan general elections.[3] Courts of appeals candidates are chosen in their respective appellate districts.[3] In the event of a midterm vacancy, the governor appoints a replacement. The appointee serves until the next general election taking place 40 or more days after the vacancy occurred. If re-elected, the judge serves the remainder of his or her predecessor's unexpired term.[3] In 2007, Governor Ted Strickland issued an executive order creating a judicial appointment recommendation panel to assist in making new appointments. The panel evaluates applicants and advises the governor, but the governor is not bound to the panel's recommendations.[3]
Qualifications
To serve on the court, a judge must be:
- a district resident;
- at least six years in the practice of law; and
- under the age of 70.[3]
Selection of the chief judge
The chief judge of the Ohio District Courts of Appeal is chosen by peer vote and serves for one year.[3]
2012
Hensal defeated Clair Dickinson in the general election on November 6, 2012, winning 51.33 percent of the vote.[4][5]
- See also: Ohio judicial elections, 2012
When asked why Hensal chose to run for election on Judgepedia's candidate information form, she replied:
Ms. Hensal has gained valuable experience practicing in various courts, including the Court of Appeals. She has a wide ranging legal background. Jennifer’s experience ranges from prosecuting criminal matters; acting as an advocate for children, the disabled and the elderly; participating in the creation of law as a municipal lawyer; guiding clients through difficult family matters in the domestic, juvenile and probate courts; to a wide range of business, corporate and real estate matters. Ms. Hensal believes that a Judge must not be a specialist, but have a background of knowledge in all areas that may come before the Court.[2]
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Jennifer Lee Hensal did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2018
Response from April 10, 2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
- See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
Jennifer Hensal participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on April 10, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Jennifer Hensal's responses follow below.[6]
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
| “ | 1) Continue to administer justice in a fair and impartial manner. 2) Continue to work side by side with educators to inform the public what role the court plays in society |
” |
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?
| “ | Judges and judicial candidates are not permitted to express their personal opinion or passions on matters of public policy or concern. This is because a judge should never allow his or her personal agenda to play any role in deciding cases that come before the court. Therefore, in fairness to the voters, we are not permitted to announce publicly how we feel about any given issue in an attempt to secure votes. Judges are required to follow the law and not decide cases aligned with any particular views of public policy.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[8]
|
” |
Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Jennifer Hensal answered the following:
Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this judicial position that you believe more people should be aware of?
| “ | The Court of Appeals is very often the court of last resort for the vast majority of cases. This is because the Ohio Supreme Court only hears certain cases. Most cases therefore end at the Court of Appeals since in only a few instances is there an automatic right to have your appeal heard by the Ohio Supreme Court.[8] | ” |
Response from April 9, 2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
- See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
Jennifer Hensal participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on April 9, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Jennifer Hensal's responses follow below.[9]
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
| “ | 1) I believe a Judge’s responsibility to see that the Ohio and Federal Constitution and the laws of Ohio and its political subdivisions are enforced. 2) Judges today must see to it that justice is served properly, efficiently and inexpensively. In addition, it is our responsibility to make sure that all who come before the court are safe and secure, and not subject to intimidation or fear for exercising their constitutional rights. |
” |
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?
| “ | We must always preserve the individual rights guaranteed to all Americans by our Constitution. This is the first duty of all judges. Respecting the rights of each individual person, regardless of the circumstances, preserves and defends freedom for all of us as Americans.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[8]
|
” |
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Approach to the law
On the same form, Hensal listed her judicial philosophy as follows:
It is a Judge’s responsibility to see that the Ohio and Federal Constitution and the laws of Ohio and its political subdivisions are interpreted as they were intended, and also properly enforced. Jennifer believes that this is important in all matters before the Court and most importantly in matters that carry criminal penalties including the death penalty. As a practicing attorney, Ms. Hensal has seen the great expense and time involved in litigation. If elected she plans to work hard to make sure that the cases on her docket are decided in a swift and efficient manner. She also intends to promote the use of alternatives to litigation to promote settlements such as mediation. In difficult economic times all branches of government face budget restrictions. This includes the judiciary. Nevertheless, justice is not about the cost involved. Courts ensure our freedom as Americans. Ms. Hensal believes that Judges today must see to it that justice is still properly, efficiently and inexpensively served. More and more there is a lack of respect for our laws and our legal system. Judges must set an example to make certain that all people before the court are treated with respect and dignity. Jennifer believes that good Judges can make lawyers better and set an example for all by showing a proper respect for individuals, our laws and the judicial system.[2]
See also
2024 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Ohio Ninth District Court of Appeals |
Officeholder Ohio Ninth District Court of Appeals |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedcourt - ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Per information submitted to Judgepedia on candidate information form on February 2, 2012
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Ohio," archived October 3, 2014
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State, "2012 General Election Results," accessed May 3, 2015
- ↑ Summit County Board of Elections, "2012 Primary Candidates," accessed May 3, 2015
- ↑ Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Ballotpedia's candidate survey, "Jennifer Hensal's responses," April 10, 2018 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "BPsurvey" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - |
Ohio Ninth District Court of Appeals 2012-Present |
Succeeded by - |
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
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