Ohio Supreme Court elections
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
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 | ||
| | Pat Fischer (R) | |
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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 | ||
| | Jill Flagg Lanzinger | |
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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 | ||
| ✔ | | Megan E. Shanahan (R) | 55.6 | 3,025,884 |
| | Michael P. Donnelly (D) | 44.4 | 2,415,507 | |
| Total votes: 5,441,391 | ||||
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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 | ||
| ✔ | | Michael P. Donnelly | 100.0 | 462,982 |
| Total votes: 462,982 | ||||
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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 | ||
| ✔ | | Megan E. Shanahan | 100.0 | 836,768 |
| Total votes: 836,768 | ||||
= 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 | ||
| ✔ | | Dan Hawkins (R) | 55.0 | 2,998,592 |
| | Lisa Forbes (D) ![]() | 45.0 | 2,456,462 | |
| Total votes: 5,455,054 | ||||
= 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
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 | ||
| ✔ | | Lisa Forbes ![]() | 63.8 | 310,635 |
| | Terri Jamison | 36.2 | 175,965 | |
| Total votes: 486,600 | ||||
= 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 | ||
| ✔ | | Dan Hawkins | 100.0 | 810,411 |
| Total votes: 810,411 | ||||
= 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 | ||
| ✔ | | Joseph Deters (R) | 55.1 | 2,997,144 |
| | Melody Stewart (D) ![]() | 44.9 | 2,443,066 | |
| Total votes: 5,440,210 | ||||
= 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 | ||
| ✔ | | Melody Stewart ![]() | 100.0 | 459,539 |
| Total votes: 459,539 | ||||
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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 | ||
| ✔ | | Joseph Deters | 100.0 | 835,968 |
| Total votes: 835,968 | ||||
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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 | ||
| ✔ | | Pat DeWine (R) | 56.3 | 2,306,428 |
| | Marilyn Zayas (D) ![]() | 43.7 | 1,789,384 | |
| Total votes: 4,095,812 | ||||
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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 | ||
| ✔ | | Marilyn Zayas ![]() | 100.0 | 406,732 |
| Total votes: 406,732 | ||||
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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 | ||
| ✔ | | Pat DeWine | 100.0 | 719,162 |
| Total votes: 719,162 | ||||
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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 | ||
| ✔ | | Pat Fischer (R) | 56.9 | 2,330,575 |
| | Terri Jamison (D) | 43.1 | 1,764,845 | |
| Total votes: 4,095,420 | ||||
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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 | ||
| ✔ | | Terri Jamison | 100.0 | 418,525 |
| Total votes: 418,525 | ||||
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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 | ||
| ✔ | | Pat Fischer | 100.0 | 788,538 |
| Total votes: 788,538 | ||||
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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 | ||
| ✔ | | Sharon L. Kennedy (R) | 56.1 | 2,307,415 |
| | Jennifer L. Brunner (D) ![]() | 43.9 | 1,807,133 | |
| Total votes: 4,114,548 | ||||
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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 | ||
| ✔ | | Jennifer L. Brunner ![]() | 100.0 | 445,711 |
| Total votes: 445,711 | ||||
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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 | ||
| ✔ | | Sharon L. Kennedy | 100.0 | 814,717 |
| Total votes: 814,717 | ||||
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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 | ||
| ✔ | | Sharon L. Kennedy (Nonpartisan) | 55.1 | 2,735,041 |
| | John P. O'Donnell (Nonpartisan) | 44.9 | 2,231,724 | |
| Total votes: 4,966,765 | ||||
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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 | ||
| ✔ | | John P. O'Donnell | 100.0 | 659,196 |
| Total votes: 659,196 | ||||
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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 | ||
| ✔ | | Sharon L. Kennedy | 100.0 | 637,255 |
| Total votes: 637,255 | ||||
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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 | ||
| ✔ | | Jennifer L. Brunner (Nonpartisan) ![]() | 55.3 | 2,695,072 |
| | Judith French (Nonpartisan) | 44.7 | 2,174,820 | |
| Total votes: 4,869,892 | ||||
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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 | ||
| ✔ | | Jennifer L. Brunner ![]() | 100.0 | 675,231 |
| Total votes: 675,231 | ||||
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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 | ||
| ✔ | | Judith French | 100.0 | 618,739 |
| Total votes: 618,739 | ||||
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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 | ||
| ✔ | | Michael P. Donnelly (D) | 61.0 | 2,170,227 |
| | Craig Baldwin (R) | 39.0 | 1,385,435 | |
| Total votes: 3,555,662 | ||||
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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 | ||
| ✔ | | Michael P. Donnelly | 100.0 | 501,831 |
| Total votes: 501,831 | ||||
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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 | ||
| ✔ | | Craig Baldwin | 100.0 | 595,000 |
| Total votes: 595,000 | ||||
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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 | ||
| ✔ | | Melody Stewart (D) | 52.6 | 1,853,418 |
| | Mary DeGenaro (R) | 47.4 | 1,667,258 | |
| Total votes: 3,520,676 | ||||
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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 | ||
| ✔ | | Mary DeGenaro (R) | 53.8 | 581,244 |
| ✔ | | Melody Stewart (D) | 46.2 | 500,084 |
| Total votes: 1,081,328 | ||||
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See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State, “Ohio Candidate Requirement Guide,” accessed December 7, 2021
- ↑ Ohio General Assembly, “(Senate Bill Number 80),” accessed December 7, 2021
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 National Center for State Courts, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Ohio," accessed September 1, 2021
- ↑ Ohio Laws & Administrative Rules, "Section 2503.01 | Composition of supreme court; qualifications for justices.," accessed April 12, 2023
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State, Election Results: Justice Of The Ohio Supreme Court Term Beginning January 1, 2007, November 7, 2006
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State, Election Results: Justice Of The Ohio Supreme Court Term Beginning January 2, 2007, November 7, 2006
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State, Election Results: Chief Justice Of The Ohio Supreme Court, November 2, 2004
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State, Election Results: Justice Of The Supreme Court - Unexpired Term, November 2, 2004
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State, Election Results: Justice Of The Supreme Court - Term Beginning January 1, 2005, November 2, 2004
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State, Election Results: Justice Of The Supreme Court - Term Beginning January 2, 2005, November 2, 2004
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State, Official Website: Election Results, Justices Of The Ohio Supreme Court, November 5, 2002
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State, Election Results: Ohio Supreme Court - Term Beginning January 1, 2001, November 7, 2000
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State, Election Results: Ohio Supreme Court - Term Beginning January 2, 2001, November 7, 2000
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State, Election Results: Chief Justice of The Supreme Court, November 3, 1998
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State, Election Results: Justices of The Supreme Court, November 3, 1998
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State, Election Results: Ohio Supreme Court, November 5, 1996
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State, Election Results: Ohio Supreme Court, November 8, 1994
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State, Election Results: General Election, November 3, 1992
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State resources:
Courts in Ohio • Ohio judicial elections • Judicial selection in Ohio
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