Josh Brown (Ohio)

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Josh Brown

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 2, 2021

Education

Bachelor's

The Ohio State University, 2006

Law

University of Toledo College of Law, 2010

Military

Years of service

1997 - 2005

Personal

Religion

Christian

Profession

Attorney

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Josh Brown ran for election for judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court in Ohio. He lost in the general election on November 2, 2021.

Biography

Josh Brown served in the United States Army from 1997 to 2005. He earned a bachelor's degree from the Ohio State University in 2006 and a J.D. from the University of Toledo College of Law in 2010. His career experience includes working as an attorney and executive.

Elections

2021

See also: Municipal elections in Franklin County, Ohio (2021)

General election

General election for Franklin County Municipal Court

Incumbent Jim O'Grady defeated Josh Brown in the general election for Franklin County Municipal Court on November 2, 2021.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Jim O'Grady (Nonpartisan)	60.2	106,594
		Josh Brown (Nonpartisan)	39.8	70,549

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 177,143
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2020

See also: Municipal elections in Franklin County, Ohio (2020)

General election

General election for Franklin County Court of Common Pleas General Division

Carl Aveni defeated Josh Brown in the general election for Franklin County Court of Common Pleas General Division on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Carl Aveni (Nonpartisan)	54.2	276,435
		Josh Brown (Nonpartisan)	45.8	233,533

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 509,968
= 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 Franklin County Court of Common Pleas General Division

Carl Aveni advanced from the Democratic primary for Franklin County Court of Common Pleas General Division on April 28, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Carl Aveni	100.0	87,711

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 87,711
= 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 Franklin County Court of Common Pleas General Division

Josh Brown advanced from the Republican primary for Franklin County Court of Common Pleas General Division on April 28, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Josh Brown	100.0	28,282

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 28,282
= 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 themes

2021

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Josh Brown did not complete Ballotpedia's 2021 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Josh Brown completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Brown's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Josh Brown and I am running for Judge to ensure that our system of justice is not abused, that all people are treated fairly, and to restore faith in the judicial system. I am a U.S. Army Combat Veteran and small business owner.

The media is full of disturbing stories about our public and private institutions. People fear that abuses of power have run out of control. That is why we need good judges - so people feel confidence in the justice system.

I serve the people of central Ohio faithfully as the head of a federal debt relief agency. I fight against legal abuses that cripple my clients. We have 100% 5-star Google reviews, having received 80 total. I have successfully represented a wide array of clients, including non-profits, businesses, and individuals in dire circumstances.

Now I ask that you vote for me so I can work for you.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Stand up to any abuse of the legal system.
• Ensure all parties are treated fairly
• Restore faith to the judicial system

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The public policy areas I am personally passionate about would include statutory interpretation, legal analysis, and legal theories about how the justice system should work to serve parties fairly. I am a student of the great legal scholars and the great historical philosophers. However, my private legal practice is far more realist. Every day, I serve clients in the most dire circumstances, putting the law to work for them. Now, I want to put it to work for the people of Franklin County.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I have many role models. When I think of someone who I try to exemplify as a lawyer, I think of Atticus Finch from the book/movie "To Kill a Mockingbird." This lawyer stood up for what was right, in the face of prejudice and scorn.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

To Kill a Mockingbird

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

The most important characteristic of an elected official is the ability to communicate clearly, both in the role as a listener and as a speaker.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Empathetic, hard worker, intelligent, and faithful.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To stand up to any abuses of the legal system, treat all parties fairly (as if each case was his/her own) and foster confidence in the judicial system.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I hope people remember me for having a very positive impact on our community and being a great judge to have assigned to your case.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I recall the challenger shuttle explosion when I was in first grade. I was very interested in the 1992 presidential election.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I grew up working on farms.

What is your favorite book? Why?

To Kill a Mockingbird. The main character Atticus Finch is a great character to follow. The story itself is a class in law and legal history.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Atticus Finch

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

I'm not sure, but generally, I like to listen to many different types of music.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

At times, I have been known to overwork. This has taken on toll on my personally at times.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

Judges should be leaders in our community. I plan to be active in the community, helping make it a better place in terms of safety, economy, and enjoyment.

How would you describe your legal philosophy?

I believe in being fair to all parties. A judge should listen very carefully to those who are at the court. A judge should consider the background and total circumstances faced by the parties in front of him. I pledge to stand up to any abuses of our justice system, treat all parties fairly, and foster confidence to the justice system.

Do you believe that empathy is an important quality for a judge?

Empathy is extremely important for a judge. I believe this is a trait that will help make me a great judge. I have lived a life with many challenges. I did not have any special help.

I was born in a low-income area. However, I was fortunate to have parents who taught me what I needed. I served in the Army as an enlisted soldier for eight years, including in combat and a hardship tour. I paid my own way through college and law school. I started a small business on my own and thrived with it as my sole source of income. I have experienced the death of people very close to me. I have seen what drugs and violence do to our community first-hand.

As an attorney, I serve clients in the most dire circumstances of their lives. I serve every income bracket, every race, every gender, and every part of our community. I have consulted thousands of people on working through the most difficult circumstances imaginable. I listen to each one carefully and consult them on how to deal with the emotions and turmoil that they face. I help them turn their life around.

Now, I want to put these skills to work for our community.

Have you ever been rated by a Bar Association? If so, what was the rating?

No.

Why are you running for this particular court seat?

I am running to put my skills to work for this community that I care about so much.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for a judge to have previous experience in government or politics?

Sometimes. Depends on the individual circumstances.

What is your primary concern about today's legal system in your state?

Many Judges are overwhelmed with work and struggle to give every case the time it needs. This is a problem I am very well-suited to address, given the work load at my law firm. I developed the skills needed to handle a heavy work load.

What do you consider the greatest opportunity for the legal system in your state?

Going forward, our legal system has many opportunities to improve. I would like to see three main things: 1) a statewide filing system, 2) more special-docket courts, such as veterans courts, environmental courts, and drug courts, and 3) more mentorship programs that would help judges be community leaders.

Would you be interested in serving on a higher court in the future? If so, which court appeals to you?

I am focused on serving our community as a judge at this point.

Do you believe that Bar Association ratings are an accurate reflection of a judge’s ability?

No.

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

2021 Elections

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Government

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Candidate

Franklin County Municipal Court

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Footnotes

Ohio courts

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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