Michael Goulding
Michael R. Goulding is a judge of the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas General Division in Ohio. His current term ends on January 1, 2029.
Goulding (Republican Party) is running for election for judge of the Ohio Sixth District Court of Appeals. He declared candidacy for the Republican primary scheduled on May 5, 2026.[source]
Goulding was appointed to the court by Gov. John Kasich (R) to fill the vacancy created by the election of James D. Jensen to the Ohio Sixth District Court of Appeals. Goulding assumed office on August 26, 2013, and won election to the remainder of Jensen's unexpired term in 2014. He was elected to a full term on the court on November 8, 2016.[1][2]
Biography
Goulding received his undergraduate degree in English from the Ohio State University and his J.D. from the University of Toledo College of Law in 1995.[1][3]
Before his appointment to the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, Goulding served as a municipal court judge for the Toledo Municipal Court from 2007 to August 2013. He has also previously worked as an attorney in private practice with the Toledo law firm of Shindler, Neff, Holmes, Schlageter & Mohler.[1][3]
Elections
2026
See also: Ohio intermediate appellate court elections, 2026
General election
The primary will occur on May 5, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Republican primary
Republican primary for Ohio Sixth District Court of Appeals
Michael R. Goulding (R) is running in the Republican primary for Ohio Sixth District Court of Appeals on May 5, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| Michael R. Goulding | ||
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Endorsements
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2022
See also: Municipal elections in Lucas County, Ohio (2022)
General election
General election for Lucas County Court of Common Pleas General Division
Incumbent Michael R. Goulding won election in the general election for Lucas County Court of Common Pleas General Division on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Michael R. Goulding (Nonpartisan) | 100.0 | 78,028 | |
| Total votes: 78,028 | |||
| = 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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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Lucas County Court of Common Pleas General Division
Incumbent Michael R. Goulding advanced from the Republican primary for Lucas County Court of Common Pleas General Division on May 3, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Michael R. Goulding | 100.0 | 15,726 | |
| Total votes: 15,726 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2016
Incumbent Michael Goulding ran unopposed in the general election.
| Lucas County Court of Common Pleas (General Division–Goulding seat), General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Michael Goulding Incumbent (unopposed) |
100.00% | 106,876 |
| Total Votes | 106,876 | |
| Source: Lucas County, Ohio, "Unofficial Election Results: November 8, 2016," accessed November 9, 2016 | ||
Incumbent Michael Goulding ran unopposed in the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas General Division Republican primary election.
| Lucas County Court of Common Pleas (General Division–Goulding seat), Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Michael Goulding Incumbent (unopposed) |
100.00% | 27,652 |
| Total Votes | 27,652 | |
| Source: Lucas County, Ohio, "Primary Election: Unofficial Results," March 16, 2016 | ||
Selection method
- See also: Nonpartisan election of judges
The 391 judges of the Ohio Courts of Common Pleas are all selected in an identical manner. Qualified individuals wishing to join the bench must participate in partisan primary elections followed by nonpartisan general elections.[4]
The chief judges of the Ohio Courts of Common Pleas are chosen by peer vote and serve for one year.[4]
Qualifications
To serve on an appellate or general jurisdiction court, a judge must be:[4]
- a district or county resident (for court of appeals and common pleas judges);
- at least six years practiced in law; and
- under the age of 70.
Under the Ohio Constitution, a judge who reaches 70 years of age may be assigned by the chief justice to active duty, receiving payment on a per-day basis in addition to whatever retirement benefits he or she is entitled to.
2014
See also: Ohio judicial elections, 2014
Goulding ran for re-election to the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas General Division.
General: He was unopposed in the general election on November 4, 2014.
[2]
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
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2022
Michael R. Goulding did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign finance summary
Campaign finance information for this candidate is not yet available from OpenSecrets. That information will be published here once it is available.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Office of John R. Kasich, Governor of the State of Ohio, "Kasich Announces Appointment to the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas," August 16, 2013
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lucas County Board of Elections, "Election Notice For Use with the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot," accessed April 23, 2014
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Toledo Blade, "Kasich picks Goulding, 46, for Lucas Co.court bench," August 17, 2013
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Ohio," archived October 3, 2014
