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Ohio Supreme Court elections

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There are seven justices on the Ohio Supreme Court. For more information about these elections, visit the Ohio judicial elections page.

Judicial selection

See also: Judicial selection in Ohio

The seven justices of the Ohio Supreme Court 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.[1][2][3]

All judges serve six-year terms, after which they are required to run for re-election if they wish to remain on the court.[3]

Qualifications

To serve on the Ohio Supreme Court, 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;
  • be a judge of a court of record in any jurisdiction in the U.S.; and
  • be under the age of 70.[4]

Chief justice

The chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court is chosen by voters at large, serving a full six-year term in that capacity.[3]

Vacancies

See also: How vacancies are filled in state supreme courts

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]

The map below highlights how vacancies are filled in state supreme courts across the country.

Elections

See also: Ohio Supreme Court elections, 2030

Term starts 01/02/2031


There are no official candidates yet for this election.


Term starts 01/01/2031


There are no official candidates yet for this election.


See also: Ohio Supreme Court elections, 2028

Ohio Supreme Court


There are no official candidates yet for this election.


Ohio Supreme Court

General election

The general election will occur on November 7, 2028.

General election for Ohio Supreme Court

Incumbent Pat Fischer (R) is running in the general election for Ohio Supreme Court on November 7, 2028.

Candidate
Image of Pat Fischer
Pat Fischer (R)

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice


There are no official candidates yet for this election.


See also: Ohio Supreme Court elections, 2026

Dan Hawkins' seat


There are no official candidates yet for this election.


Jennifer Brunner's seat

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 Supreme Court

Jill Flagg Lanzinger (R) is running in the Republican primary for Ohio Supreme Court on May 5, 2026.


Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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See also: Ohio Supreme Court elections, 2024

Regular election: Term starts 01/01/2025

General election

General election for Ohio Supreme Court

Megan E. Shanahan (R) defeated incumbent Michael P. Donnelly (D) in the general election for Ohio Supreme Court on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Megan E. Shanahan
Megan E. Shanahan (R)
 
55.6
 
3,025,884
Image of Michael P. Donnelly
Michael P. Donnelly (D)
 
44.4
 
2,415,507

Total votes: 5,441,391
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Ohio Supreme Court

Incumbent Michael P. Donnelly (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for Ohio Supreme Court on March 19, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Michael P. Donnelly
Michael P. Donnelly
 
100.0
 
462,982

Total votes: 462,982
Candidate Connection = 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

Republican primary for Ohio Supreme Court

Megan E. Shanahan (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Ohio Supreme Court on March 19, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Megan E. Shanahan
Megan E. Shanahan
 
100.0
 
836,768

Total votes: 836,768
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Special election: Term ends 12/31/2026

General election

Special general election for Ohio Supreme Court

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

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

Total votes: 5,455,054
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Special Democratic primary for Ohio Supreme Court

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

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Lisa Forbes
Lisa Forbes  Candidate Connection
 
63.8
 
310,635
Image of Terri Jamison
Terri Jamison
 
36.2
 
175,965

Total votes: 486,600
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Special Republican primary for Ohio Supreme Court

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

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Dan Hawkins
Dan Hawkins
 
100.0
 
810,411

Total votes: 810,411
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Regular election: Term starts 01/02/2025

General election

General election for Ohio Supreme Court

Incumbent Joseph Deters (R) defeated incumbent Melody Stewart (D) in the general election for Ohio Supreme Court on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Joseph Deters
Joseph Deters (R)
 
55.1
 
2,997,144
Image of Melody Stewart
Melody Stewart (D)  Candidate Connection
 
44.9
 
2,443,066

Total votes: 5,440,210
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Ohio Supreme Court

Incumbent Melody Stewart (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for Ohio Supreme Court on March 19, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Melody Stewart
Melody Stewart  Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
459,539

Total votes: 459,539
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for Ohio Supreme Court

Incumbent Joseph Deters (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Ohio Supreme Court on March 19, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Joseph Deters
Joseph Deters
 
100.0
 
835,968

Total votes: 835,968
Candidate Connection = 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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See also: Ohio Supreme Court elections, 2022

Ohio Supreme Court

General election

General election for Ohio Supreme Court

Incumbent Pat DeWine (R) defeated Marilyn Zayas (D) in the general election for Ohio Supreme Court on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Pat DeWine
Pat DeWine (R)
 
56.3
 
2,306,428
Image of Marilyn Zayas
Marilyn Zayas (D)  Candidate Connection
 
43.7
 
1,789,384

Total votes: 4,095,812
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Ohio Supreme Court

Marilyn Zayas (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for Ohio Supreme Court on May 3, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Marilyn Zayas
Marilyn Zayas  Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
406,732

Total votes: 406,732
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for Ohio Supreme Court

Incumbent Pat DeWine (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Ohio Supreme Court on May 3, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Pat DeWine
Pat DeWine
 
100.0
 
719,162

Total votes: 719,162
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ohio Supreme Court

General election

General election for Ohio Supreme Court

Incumbent Pat Fischer (R) defeated Terri Jamison (D) in the general election for Ohio Supreme Court on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Pat Fischer
Pat Fischer (R)
 
56.9
 
2,330,575
Image of Terri Jamison
Terri Jamison (D)
 
43.1
 
1,764,845

Total votes: 4,095,420
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Ohio Supreme Court

Terri Jamison (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for Ohio Supreme Court on May 3, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Terri Jamison
Terri Jamison
 
100.0
 
418,525

Total votes: 418,525
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for Ohio Supreme Court

Incumbent Pat Fischer (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Ohio Supreme Court on May 3, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Pat Fischer
Pat Fischer
 
100.0
 
788,538

Total votes: 788,538
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice

General election

General election for Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice

Incumbent Sharon L. Kennedy (R) defeated incumbent Jennifer L. Brunner (D) in the general election for Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Sharon L. Kennedy
Sharon L. Kennedy (R)
 
56.1
 
2,307,415
Image of Jennifer L. Brunner
Jennifer L. Brunner (D)  Candidate Connection
 
43.9
 
1,807,133

Total votes: 4,114,548
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice

Incumbent Jennifer L. Brunner (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice on May 3, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jennifer L. Brunner
Jennifer L. Brunner  Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
445,711

Total votes: 445,711
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice

Incumbent Sharon L. Kennedy (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice on May 3, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Sharon L. Kennedy
Sharon L. Kennedy
 
100.0
 
814,717

Total votes: 814,717
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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See also: Ohio Supreme Court elections, 2020

Kennedy's seat

General election

General election for Ohio Supreme Court

Incumbent Sharon L. Kennedy (Nonpartisan) defeated John P. O'Donnell (Nonpartisan) in the general election for Ohio Supreme Court on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Sharon L. Kennedy
Sharon L. Kennedy (Nonpartisan)
 
55.1
 
2,735,041
Image of John P. O'Donnell
John P. O'Donnell (Nonpartisan)
 
44.9
 
2,231,724

Total votes: 4,966,765
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Ohio Supreme Court

John P. O'Donnell (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for Ohio Supreme Court on April 28, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of John P. O'Donnell
John P. O'Donnell
 
100.0
 
659,196

Total votes: 659,196
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for Ohio Supreme Court

Incumbent Sharon L. Kennedy (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Ohio Supreme Court on April 28, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Sharon L. Kennedy
Sharon L. Kennedy
 
100.0
 
637,255

Total votes: 637,255
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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French's seat

General election

General election for Ohio Supreme Court

Jennifer L. Brunner (Nonpartisan) defeated incumbent Judith French (Nonpartisan) in the general election for Ohio Supreme Court on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jennifer L. Brunner
Jennifer L. Brunner (Nonpartisan)  Candidate Connection
 
55.3
 
2,695,072
Image of Judith French
Judith French (Nonpartisan)
 
44.7
 
2,174,820

Total votes: 4,869,892
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Ohio Supreme Court

Jennifer L. Brunner (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for Ohio Supreme Court on April 28, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jennifer L. Brunner
Jennifer L. Brunner  Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
675,231

Total votes: 675,231
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for Ohio Supreme Court

Incumbent Judith French (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Ohio Supreme Court on April 28, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Judith French
Judith French
 
100.0
 
618,739

Total votes: 618,739
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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See also: Ohio Supreme Court elections, 2018

O'Donnell's seat

General election

General election for Ohio Supreme Court

Michael P. Donnelly (D) defeated Craig Baldwin (R) in the general election for Ohio Supreme Court on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Michael P. Donnelly
Michael P. Donnelly (D)
 
61.0
 
2,170,227
Image of Craig Baldwin
Craig Baldwin (R)
 
39.0
 
1,385,435

Total votes: 3,555,662
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for Ohio Supreme Court

Michael P. Donnelly (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for Ohio Supreme Court on May 8, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Michael P. Donnelly
Michael P. Donnelly
 
100.0
 
501,831

Total votes: 501,831
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary

Republican primary for Ohio Supreme Court

Craig Baldwin (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Ohio Supreme Court on May 8, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Craig Baldwin
Craig Baldwin
 
100.0
 
595,000

Total votes: 595,000
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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DeGenaro's seat

General election

General election for Ohio Supreme Court

Melody Stewart (D) defeated incumbent Mary DeGenaro (R) in the general election for Ohio Supreme Court on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Melody Stewart
Melody Stewart (D)
 
52.6
 
1,853,418
Image of Mary DeGenaro
Mary DeGenaro (R)
 
47.4
 
1,667,258

Total votes: 3,520,676
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary

Nonpartisan primary election for Ohio Supreme Court

Incumbent Mary DeGenaro (R) and Melody Stewart (D) advanced from the primary for Ohio Supreme Court on May 8, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Mary DeGenaro
Mary DeGenaro (R)
 
53.8
 
581,244
Image of Melody Stewart
Melody Stewart (D)
 
46.2
 
500,084

Total votes: 1,081,328
Candidate Connection = 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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Previous election results


See also

Ohio Judicial Selection More Courts
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Courts in Ohio
Ohio District Courts of Appeals
Ohio Supreme Court
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Gubernatorial appointments
Judicial selection in Ohio
Federal courts
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External links

Footnotes

  1. Ohio Secretary of State, “Ohio Candidate Requirement Guide,” accessed December 7, 2021
  2. Ohio General Assembly, “(Senate Bill Number 80),” accessed December 7, 2021
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 National Center for State Courts, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Ohio," accessed September 1, 2021
  4. Ohio Laws & Administrative Rules, "Section 2503.01 | Composition of supreme court; qualifications for justices.," accessed April 12, 2023
  5. Ohio Secretary of State, Election Results: Justice Of The Ohio Supreme Court Term Beginning January 1, 2007, November 7, 2006
  6. Ohio Secretary of State, Election Results: Justice Of The Ohio Supreme Court Term Beginning January 2, 2007, November 7, 2006
  7. Ohio Secretary of State, Election Results: Chief Justice Of The Ohio Supreme Court, November 2, 2004
  8. Ohio Secretary of State, Election Results: Justice Of The Supreme Court - Unexpired Term, November 2, 2004
  9. Ohio Secretary of State, Election Results: Justice Of The Supreme Court - Term Beginning January 1, 2005, November 2, 2004
  10. Ohio Secretary of State, Election Results: Justice Of The Supreme Court - Term Beginning January 2, 2005, November 2, 2004
  11. Ohio Secretary of State, Official Website: Election Results, Justices Of The Ohio Supreme Court, November 5, 2002
  12. Ohio Secretary of State, Election Results: Ohio Supreme Court - Term Beginning January 1, 2001, November 7, 2000
  13. Ohio Secretary of State, Election Results: Ohio Supreme Court - Term Beginning January 2, 2001, November 7, 2000
  14. Ohio Secretary of State, Election Results: Chief Justice of The Supreme Court, November 3, 1998
  15. Ohio Secretary of State, Election Results: Justices of The Supreme Court, November 3, 1998
  16. Ohio Secretary of State, Election Results: Ohio Supreme Court, November 5, 1996
  17. Ohio Secretary of State, Election Results: Ohio Supreme Court, November 8, 1994
  18. Ohio Secretary of State, Election Results: General Election, November 3, 1992