Shelly Kennedy
Shelly Kennedy (Republican Party) is running for election for judge of the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas Probate Division in Ohio. She is on the ballot in the Republican primary on May 5, 2026.
Elections
2026
Endorsements
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2016
Lindsay Navarre defeated Shelly Kennedy in the general election.
| Lucas County Court of Common Pleas (General Division–Franks seat), General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Lindsay Navarre |
65.15% | 90,439 |
| Shelly Kennedy | 34.85% | 48,379 |
| Total Votes | 138,818 | |
| Source: Lucas County, Ohio, "Unofficial Election Results: November 8, 2016," accessed November 9, 2016 | ||
Shelly Kennedy ran unopposed in the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas General Division Republican primary election.
| Lucas County Court of Common Pleas (General Division–Franks seat), Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Shelly Kennedy (unopposed) |
100.00% | 27,103 |
| Total Votes | 27,103 | |
| 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.[1]
The chief judges of the Ohio Courts of Common Pleas are chosen by peer vote and serve for one year.[1]
Qualifications
To serve on an appellate or general jurisdiction court, a judge must be:[1]
- 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.
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
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See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
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
