Lisa Forbes

Lisa Forbes (Democratic Party) is a judge of the Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals. She assumed office on January 1, 2021. Her current term ends on January 1, 2029.

Forbes (Democratic Party) ran in a special election for judge of the Ohio Supreme Court. She lost in the special general election on November 5, 2024.

Forbes completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Lisa Forbes was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Forbes' career experience includes working as a judge. She earned a bachelor's degree from Cornell University in 1985 and a law degree from the Case Western Reserve University School of Law in 1992.^[1]

Elections

2024

General election

Special general election for Ohio Supreme Court

Dan Hawkins defeated Lisa Forbes in the special general election for Ohio Supreme Court on November 5, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Dan Hawkins (R)	55.0	2,998,592
	Lisa Forbes (D)	45.0	2,456,462

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,455,054
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Special Democratic primary for Ohio Supreme Court

Lisa Forbes defeated Terri Jamison in the special Democratic primary for Ohio Supreme Court on March 19, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Lisa Forbes	63.8	310,635
	Terri Jamison	36.2	175,965

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 486,600
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Special Republican primary for Ohio Supreme Court

Dan Hawkins advanced from the special Republican primary for Ohio Supreme Court on March 19, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Dan Hawkins	100.0	810,411

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 810,411
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Campaign finance

Endorsements

To view Forbes's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Forbes in this election.

2022

General election

General election for Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals

Incumbent Lisa Forbes won election in the general election for Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lisa Forbes (D)	100.0	264,878

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 264,878
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals

Incumbent Lisa Forbes advanced from the Democratic primary for Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals on May 3, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lisa Forbes	100.0	65,571

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 65,571
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Campaign finance

2020

General election

General election for Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals

Lisa Forbes defeated incumbent Raymond Headen in the general election for Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals on November 3, 2020.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Lisa Forbes (Nonpartisan)	71.0	326,112
	Raymond Headen (Nonpartisan)	29.0	133,072

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 459,184
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals

Lisa Forbes defeated Gabriella Rosalina, James W. Satola, and Alyson Monroe Brown in the Democratic primary for Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals on April 28, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lisa Forbes	56.0	67,918
	Submit photo	Gabriella Rosalina	31.2	37,814
		James W. Satola	6.8	8,217
	Submit photo	Alyson Monroe Brown	6.1	7,415

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 121,364
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals

Incumbent Raymond Headen advanced from the Republican primary for Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals on April 28, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Raymond Headen	100.0	29,198

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 29,198
= 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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Campaign finance

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

Lisa Forbes completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Forbes' 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.

I am running to be a Justice on the Ohio Supreme Court. I am currently a judge on the 8th District Court of Appeals. I was elected in 2020. Prior to that, I was a litigator (courtroom lawyer) and a partner at the Cleveland office of a national law firm where I helped her clients resolve disputes ranging from complex business litigation to consumer class actions, to legal malpractice to trust and estate disputes. My husband and I have been happily married for 32 years and raised our three children in the Shaker Heights City School District. As the first generation to go to college in my family, I’m grateful for the hard work and love of my parents.

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?

I will faithfully apply the law to protect the rights of all Ohioans. I will not engage in result-oriented decision-making. The high court can and should lead by example by acting with integrity, issuing opinions that explain the rationale behind any decision, and clearly articulating the points of law and facts that drive each decision. Consistency and clarity are critical, and I will be committed to both.
I will be committed to protecting our democracy and the rule of law. I will not support unconstitutional attempts to reduce the rights of Ohioans. I will also be committed to and focused on the safety needs of our communities and citizens. Too many of our state’s citizens are in crisis because they fear for their safety.
I will be committed to improving the public perception of the judiciary. The Supreme Court can provide leadership in shoring up respect for the courts by each member taking care to conduct themselves in a way that is beyond reproach. I will avoid even the appearance of impropriety. I believe Ohioans’ respect for the high court should be more important than any individual’s personal gain or position while serving on the court.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am personally passionate about many areas of public policy, including but not limited to voting rights, increasing access to high quality physical and mental health care, and equal access to justice for all. I am particularly passionate about the need to increase public confidence in the justice system and to decrease the politicization of the judiciary.

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

I look to many different people over time for guidance and assistance. On person whose fortitude, grace and ability to inspire has always moved me is Martin Luther King, Jr.

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

If elected, I will be an independent and fair jurist who is committed to working to make the Ohio Supreme Court a firewall to protect our democracy, the rule of law and the rights of Ohioans. I take that role seriously and want voters to know how important the Supreme Court race is this November. I will stand by my principles and stick to my guns. I am willing to do my homework and hard work. I am beholden to the law, and I will follow it wherever it takes me.

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

I have experience and expertise in the law. I was a courtroom lawyer for 27 years before becoming a judge. I handled complex and complicated matters in trial courts and courts of appeals all over the state. I was a partner in a national law firm for 17 years.

I have demonstrated my commitment to my community. For example, I have served as a volunteer board member for over 15 years on the board of social services agency providing physical and mental healthcare, HeadStart, and work force development services, as well as residences and wrap-around services to some 15,000 Cuyahoga County residents every year.

I have a fierce work ethic. As the granddaughter of immigrants who were coal miners and a first generation college graduate, I appreciate that I am a living example of the opportunity my grandparents came to America looking for and I want to do my part to make sure that such opportunity is available for generations to come.

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

The core responsibilities of someone elected to the Ohio Supreme Court are to ensure equal justice is meted out under law, and to interpret and apply the U.S. and Ohio constitutions and statutes.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to be known as jurist who was fair and independent, who issued well-reasoned and just opinions, and who did her part to restore public confidence in the justice system.

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

The first historical event I recall happening in my lifetime is the Vietnam War.

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

My very first job when I was 16 years old was working at a Burger King. My first full-time position as an attorney was as a law clerk to U.S. District Court Judge Frank J. Battisti in the Northern District of Ohio.

What is your favorite book? Why?

My favorite book changes over time. A book I thoroughly enjoyed and found fascinating and thought provoking was “Left Hand of Darkness” by Ursula K. LeGuin.

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

“Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield

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

I have struggled with balancing my dedication to my profession with my personal life.

How would you describe your legal philosophy?

I approach every case with an open mind, with no expectation for any particular outcome. After I review the parties’ briefs and participate in oral argument, after I have considered the evidence presented to the trial court (if applicable), and after I have researched and analyzed the law, only then do I make my decision on how to address and resolve each assignment of error. When a statute is unambiguous, I apply it as written; when ambiguous, I interpret it using plain language as my starting point.

Is there a particular judge, past or present, whom you admire?

I admire Justice Sandra Day O’Connor as the first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. I also admire Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, particularly for her gift for turning a phrase and for her ability to respect and befriend her colleagues with whom she did not necessarily agree on substantive law.

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

Yes.

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

Yes, in this campaign, I was rated “EXCELLENT” by the Asian American Bar Association, Cuyahoga County Criminal Defense Attorneys, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, and Norman S. Minor Bar Association. The Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association rated me “Good.” Additionally, the Lake County Bar Association endorsed my candidacy as being “Highly Recommended.”

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

I am concerned that partisanship – real or perceived – is coming to be accepted as the explanation for the outcomes of cases – not justice or the fair application of the law. I believe the Ohio Supreme Court should be a firewall that protects individual rights and freedoms since it is quite literally Ohioans’ last stop for justice in this state. If people do not trust and have confidence in the courts to dispense justice and to apply the law fairly, we risk a breakdown of an orderly, democratic society. In recent years, there has been an increase in questioning the political motivations behind judicial decisions, as well as public officials refusing to abide by decisions issued by the Ohio Supreme Court. This degrades respect for all judges and courts in general, not just the specific judges who are the subject of criticism. In Ohio, we now have party affiliation on the ballot for judges on the Courts of Appeals and the Supreme Court and it has only increased powerful partisan interests. I have the expertise in the law, commitment to community, and work ethic to bring intellectual rigor and common sense to the Court so that our laws are applied fairly and equitably to increase people’s confidence in the courts.

How does your state’s supreme court serve as part of the state government’s checks and balances?

Being an independent and fair jurist who ensures that the Ohio Supreme Court continues to perform its key function as a check and balance on the other branches of government is critical to building trust and confidence in the judiciary. The Ohio Supreme Court should not be a rubber stamp for either the legislature or executive. Ohio’s Supreme Court should be an independent court – free from party politics. I want to do my part to ensure that the high court serves as an effective firewall protecting our democracy, the rule of law and the rights of Ohioans.

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

I believe the bar association ratings provide meaningful information for voters because, as relates to the first five ratings discussed above, they compile their ratings from nonpartisan lawyers' professional associations with a variety of political backgrounds based on information and cases as well as rigorous interviews. Similarly, members of the Lake County Bar Association voted based on their experiences and review of the candidates’ records.

Tell us your favorite joke.

One of my favorite riddles is: What did the judge order from the soda fountain? Just ice.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I support financial transparency and governmental accountability for all elected officials, judges and justices included.

Do you support or oppose changes to the current state ballot initiative process? If so, what kind of changes would you consider?

I have no position on the current state ballot initiative process.

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.

2022

Lisa Forbes did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Lisa Forbes did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

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.

Lisa Forbes campaign contribution history
Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	Ohio Supreme Court	Lost general	$982,149	$947,380
2022	Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals	Won general	$44,762	$12,503
Grand total			$1,026,911	$959,883
Sources: OpenSecrets, Federal Elections Commission *This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

External links

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Candidate

Ohio Supreme Court

Officeholder

Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals

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Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 7, 2024

v • e

Ohio District Courts of Appeals
Judicial selection in Ohio • 2024 elections • Ohio Supreme Court

First District

Marilyn Zayas • Ginger Bock • Jennifer Kinsley •

Second District

Jeffrey M. Welbaum • Mary Katherine Huffman • Michael L. Tucker • Chris Epley • Ronald Lewis •

Third District

John Willamowski • William R. Zimmerman • Mark Miller (Ohio court of appeals) • Juergen Waldick •

Fourth District

Peter Abele • Marie Hoover • Mike Hess • Kristy Wilkin •

Fifth District

Scott Gwin • William Hoffman • John Wise • Patricia Delaney • Andrew King (Ohio) •

Sixth District

Thomas Osowik • Gene Zmuda • Myron Duhart • Christine Mayle • Charles Sulek •

Seventh District

Cheryl Waite • Carol Ann Robb • Mark Hanni • Katelyn Dickey •

Eighth District

Mary Boyle • Sean Gallagher • Mary Kilbane • Emanuella Groves • Kathleen Ann Keough • Anita Laster Mays • Deena R. Calabrese • Eileen T. Gallagher • Timothy McCormack (Ohio) • Michael John Ryan (Ohio) • Eileen A. Gallagher • Michelle Sheehan • Lisa Forbes •

Ninth District

Donna Carr • Scot Stevenson • Betty Sutton • Jennifer Lee Hensal • Jill Flagg Lanzinger •

Tenth District

Julia L. Dorrian • Terri Jamison • Betsy Luper Schuster • David Leland • Kristin Boggs • Michael Mentel • Carly Edelstein •

Eleventh District

Mary Jane Trapp • Eugene A. Lucci • John Eklund (Ohio) • Matt Lynch • Robert Patton •

Twelfth District

Stephen Powell • Robert Hendrickson (Ohio) • Michael E. Powell (Ohio) • Robin N. Piper • Matthew Byrne •

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

[1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 7, 2024

[1]

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Lisa Forbes

Biography

Elections

2024

General election

Special general election for Ohio Supreme Court

Democratic primary election

Special Democratic primary for Ohio Supreme Court

Republican primary election

Special Republican primary for Ohio Supreme Court

Campaign finance

Endorsements

2022

General election

General election for Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals

Campaign finance

2020

General election

General election for Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals

Campaign finance

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

2022

2020

Campaign finance summary

See also

External links

Footnotes

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