Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals

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Districts of the Ohio District Courts of Appeals

The Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals is one of 12 intermediate appellate court districts in Ohio. The Fourth District presides over Adams, Athens, Gallia, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Pickaway, Pike, Ross, Scioto, Vinton and Washington counties in Ohio.

Published opinions of the Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals can be found here.

 

Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals
Court information
Judges:	4
Salary:	Associates: $178,108
Judicial selection
Method:	Partisan election of judges
Term:	6 years

Judges

Judge	Tenure	Appointed By
Peter Abele	1991 - Present	Elected
Jason Smith	February 9, 2019 - Present	Elected
Mike Hess	February 10, 2019 - Present	Elected
Kristy Wilkin	August 3, 2020 - Present	Richard Michael DeWine

Salary

See also: Ohio court salaries and budgets

In 2025, the associate judges of the court received a salary of $178,108, according to the National Center for State Courts.

Judicial selection

See also: Judicial selection in Ohio

The judges of the Ohio District Courts of Appeal are selected through partisan primaries and partisan general elections. Previously, these judges were selected through partisan primaries and nonpartisan general elections, known as the Michigan method. The number of judges on the court of appeals varies by district over time, based on district size and caseload. Each district has between four and 12 judges.

All judges serve six-year terms, after which they are required to run for re-election if they wish to remain on the court. District courts of appeal candidates are chosen in their respective appellate districts.

Qualifications

To serve on the Ohio District Courts of Appeals, a judge must:

• have at least six years in the practice of law;
• be licensed to practice law in the state for at least one year preceding appointment or commencement of the judge's term;
• a judge of a court of record in any jurisdiction in the U.S.; and
• be under the age of 70.

Presiding judge

The manner in which the presiding judge is chosen for each appellate district varies among the districts.

Vacancies

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.

Elections

• 2030
• 2028
• 2026
• 2024
• 2022
• 2020
• 2018

See also: Ohio intermediate appellate court elections, 2030

Term starts 02/10/2031

There are no official candidates yet for this election.

Term starts 02/09/2031

There are no official candidates yet for this election.

See also: Ohio intermediate appellate court elections, 2028

There are no official candidates yet for this election.

See also: Ohio intermediate appellate court elections, 2026

There are no official candidates yet for this election.

See also: Ohio intermediate appellate court elections, 2024

Term starts 02/10/2025

General election

General election for Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals

Incumbent Mike Hess (R) won election in the general election for Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mike Hess (R)	100.0	206,577

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 206,577
= 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

The Democratic primary scheduled for March 19, 2024, was canceled.

Republican primary

Republican primary for Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals

Incumbent Mike Hess (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals on March 19, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mike Hess	100.0	60,488

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 60,488
= 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.

Term starts 02/09/2025

General election

General election for Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals

Incumbent Jason Smith (R) won election in the general election for Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Jason Smith (R)	100.0	208,636

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 208,636
= 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

The Democratic primary scheduled for March 19, 2024, was canceled.

Republican primary

Republican primary for Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals

Incumbent Jason Smith (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals on March 19, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Jason Smith	100.0	60,277

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 60,277
= 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.

See also: Ohio intermediate appellate court elections, 2022

General election

General election for Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals

Incumbent Kristy Wilkin (R) won election in the general election for Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kristy Wilkin (R)	100.0	150,335

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 150,335
= 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

The Democratic primary scheduled for May 3, 2022, was canceled.

Republican primary

Republican primary for Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals

Incumbent Kristy Wilkin (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals on May 3, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kristy Wilkin	100.0	45,140

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 45,140
= 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.

See also: Ohio intermediate appellate court elections, 2020

Special election: McFarland's unexpired term - 2/8/2023

General election

Special general election for Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals

Incumbent Kristy Wilkin (Nonpartisan) defeated Stacy Brooks (Nonpartisan) in the special general election for Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kristy Wilkin (Nonpartisan)	52.8	115,387
	Submit photo	Stacy Brooks (Nonpartisan)	47.2	103,115

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 218,502
= 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.

Regular election

General election

General election for Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals

Incumbent Peter Abele (Nonpartisan) won election in the general election for Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Peter Abele (Nonpartisan)	100.0	182,359

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 182,359
= 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

The Democratic primary scheduled for April 28, 2020, was canceled.

Republican primary

Republican primary for Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals

Incumbent Peter Abele (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals on April 28, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Peter Abele	100.0	45,279

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 45,279
= 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.

See also: Ohio intermediate appellate court elections, 2018

Term Commencing 02/10/2019; Harsha's Seat

General election

General election for Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals

Mike Hess (R) defeated Valarie Gerlach (D) in the general election for Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mike Hess (R)	61.1	102,284
	Submit photo	Valarie Gerlach (D)	38.9	65,229

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 167,513
= 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

Democratic primary for Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals

Valarie Gerlach (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals on May 8, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Valarie Gerlach	100.0	18,539

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 18,539
= 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

Republican primary for Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals

Mike Hess (R) defeated Kathleen Madden (R) in the Republican primary for Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals on May 8, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mike Hess	60.9	25,244
	Submit photo	Kathleen Madden	39.1	16,209

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 41,453
= 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.

Term Commencing 02/9/2019; Hoover's Seat

General election

General election for Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals

Jason Smith (R) defeated incumbent Marie Hoover (D) in the general election for Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Jason Smith (R)	52.7	86,992
		Marie Hoover (D)	47.3	78,092

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 165,084
= 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

Democratic primary for Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals

Incumbent Marie Hoover (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals on May 8, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Marie Hoover	100.0	18,947

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 18,947
= 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

Republican primary for Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals

Jason Smith (R) defeated Kris Blanton (R) in the Republican primary for Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals on May 8, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Jason Smith	53.9	21,071
	Submit photo	Kris Blanton	46.1	17,995

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 39,066
= 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.

Previous election results

2016

See also: Ohio judicial elections, 2016

Candidates

Judge McFarland's seat

■ Valarie Gerlach (D)
■ Matthew McFarland (R) (Incumbent)

Election results

November 8 general election

Incumbent Matthew McFarland defeated Valarie Gerlach in the general election for the Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals, McFarland's seat.

Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals, McFarland's Seat, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Matthew McFarland Incumbent	66.36%	130,609
	Democratic	Valarie Gerlach	33.64%	66,218
Total Votes (100% reporting)				196,827
Source: Ohio Secretary of State Official Results

March 15 primary election

Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals, Judge McFarland's Seat Republican Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Matthew McFarland Incumbent (unopposed)	100.00%	71,176
Total Votes				71,176
Source: Ohio Secretary of State Official Results

Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals, Judge McFarland's Seat Democratic Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Valarie Gerlach	55.95%	22,595
	Democratic	Paul Price	44.05%	17,787
Total Votes				40,382
Source: Ohio Secretary of State Official Results

2014

See also: Ohio judicial elections, 2014

Unopposed	Judge Peter Abele (Term commencing 2/9/2015)

2012

See also: Ohio judicial elections, 2012

Candidate	Incumbency	Party	Term	Primary Vote	Election Vote
HolzapfelLeonard F. Holzapfel	No	Republican	General and Domestic Relations Divisions	27.8%A	45.82%   A
HardinLori Pritchard Hardin	No	Republican	Term commencing 2/9/2013	22%
HooverMarie Hoover   A	No	Democratic		58.3%A	54.18%   A
SandersPatricia Sanders	No	Republican	Term commencing 2/9/2013	24.5%
NewmanSteven C. Newman	No	Republican	Term commencing 2/9/2013	25.5%
SpetnagelTom Spetnagel	No	Democratic	Term commencing 2/9/2013	41.6%
HarshaWilliam Harsha   A	Yes	Republican			100%   A

2010

See also: Ohio judicial elections, 2010

Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals 2010 elections

Court	Candidates	Details	Results
Fourth District	(R): Matthew McFarland	Matthew McFarland was up for re-election.	Matthew McFarland

Ethics

The Ohio Code of Judicial Conduct sets forth ethical guidelines and principles for the conduct of judges and judicial candidates in Ohio. It consists of four overarching canons:

• Canon 1: "A judge shall uphold and promote the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary, and shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety."
• Canon 2: "A judge shall perform the duties of judicial office impartially, competently, and diligently."
• Canon 3: "A judge shall conduct the judge’s personal and extrajudicial activities so as to minimize the risk of conflict with the obligations of judicial office."
• Canon 4: "A judge or judicial candidate shall not engage in political or campaign activity that is inconsistent with the independence, integrity, or impartiality of the judiciary."

The full text of the Ohio Code of Judicial Conduct can be found here.

Removal of judges

Judges in Ohio may be removed in one of three ways:

• Retirement, removal or suspension by a special Supreme Court commission.
• Removal by a concurrent resolution of two-thirds of the members of both houses of the Ohio General Assembly.
• Conviction by a two-thirds vote of the Ohio Senate, upon impeachment by a majority vote of the Ohio House of Representatives.

State profile

Demographic data for Ohio
	Ohio	U.S.
Total population:	11,605,090	316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):	40,861	3,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:	82.4%	73.6%
Black/African American:	12.2%	12.6%
Asian:	1.9%	5.1%
Native American:	0.2%	0.8%
Pacific Islander:	0%	0.2%
Two or more:	2.5%	3%
Hispanic/Latino:	3.4%	17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:	89.1%	86.7%
College graduation rate:	26.1%	29.8%
Income
Median household income:	$49,429	$53,889
Persons below poverty level:	19.6%	11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Ohio. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

Presidential voting pattern

See also: Presidential voting trends in Ohio

Ohio voted Republican in five out of the seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.

Pivot Counties (2016)

Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won these Pivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, nine are located in Ohio, accounting for 4.37 percent of the total pivot counties.

Pivot Counties (2020)

In 2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won as Retained Pivot Counties and those won by Joe Biden (D) as Boomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. Ohio had eight Retained Pivot Counties and one Boomerang Pivot County, accounting for 4.42 and 4.00 percent of all Retained and Boomerang Pivot Counties, respectively.

More Ohio coverage on Ballotpedia

• Elections in Ohio
• United States congressional delegations from Ohio
• Public policy in Ohio
• Endorsers in Ohio
• Ohio fact checks
• More...

External links

• Ohio Fourth District Court of Appeals

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