If you think the Ohio Supreme Court election is just some sleepy down-ballot affair where judges in black robes talk about "tort reform" and "stare decisis," you're missing the biggest power struggle in the state. Honestly, these races have become more like high-stakes poker games than judicial proceedings. We're looking at a 2026 cycle that could fundamentally lock in the state's legal direction for a decade, or completely flip the script on how laws are interpreted in Columbus.
Right now, the court is sitting at a 6-1 Republican majority. That’s a massive shift from just a few years ago. In 2024, the GOP swept all three available seats, with Megan Shanahan, Joseph Deters, and Dan Hawkins all securing wins. That basically left Justice Jennifer Brunner as the lone Democrat on the bench.
People always ask, "Does the party label even matter for a judge?" In Ohio, it’s not just a suggestion anymore. Since 2021, thanks to Senate Bill 80, candidates for the Supreme Court actually have their party affiliation right there on the general election ballot. No more guessing. It changed the game.
Why the 2026 Ohio Supreme Court Election is the Next Big Flashpoint
The 2026 cycle is going to be wild. Why? Because the seats currently held by Justice Jennifer Brunner and Justice Dan Hawkins (who won a special term in 2024) are up for grabs. If Republicans sweep again, they could achieve a 7-0 "monopoly" on the state’s highest court.
Think about that.
Seven justices, all from one party, deciding the fate of redistricting, reproductive rights, and environmental regulations. It's a scenario that has Democrats in a bit of a panic and Republicans feeling like they have the wind at their backs.
The 2026 primary is scheduled for May 5, with the general election on November 3. Already, we’re seeing names like Jill Flagg Lanzinger popping up on the Republican side. It’s early, but the money is already starting to move. In a state that has leaned increasingly red, these judicial races are where the real "check and balance" happens—or where it disappears.
The "Issue 1" Fallout and the Bench
Remember the 2024 battle over Issue 1? That was the citizen-led effort to create a non-partisan redistricting commission. It failed. Voters rejected it 53.7% to 46.3%.
What does a failed redistricting amendment have to do with the Ohio Supreme Court election? Everything.
Because Issue 1 failed, the power to draw maps stays with the Ohio Redistricting Commission—a group of politicians. And when those politicians draw maps that people hate, those maps get challenged in... you guessed it... the Ohio Supreme Court.
Back in 2022, the court (under then-Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor) actually rejected several maps for being unconstitutionally gerrymandered. But O'Connor was a unique Republican who often joined the Democrats on these issues. She’s gone now, replaced by Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy. The current court is much more likely to defer to the legislature. If you care about how your voting district is drawn, you have to care about who sits on those seven chairs in Columbus.
The Faces of the Court: Who is Actually Running?
It's easy to get lost in the sea of names. Let’s break down the current state of the bench so you know who is who.
- Chief Justice Sharon L. Kennedy (R): The leader of the pack. Her term doesn't expire until 2028, so she’s not on the 2026 ballot, but her influence is everywhere.
- Justice Jennifer Brunner (D): The last line of defense for the Democrats. Her seat is up in 2026. If she loses, the Democratic presence on the court vanishes.
- Justice Dan Hawkins (R): He just won a special election in 2024 to fill the remainder of an unexpired term. He has to run again in 2026 for a full six-year term.
- Justice Megan Shanahan (R): A newcomer who defeated incumbent Michael Donnelly in 2024. She’s safe until 2030.
- Justice Joseph Deters (R): He opted to run for a full term in 2024 rather than the seat he was appointed to, and he won. Safe until 2030.
The 2026 race is basically a battle for Brunner's seat and a confirmation of Hawkins'. If Brunner decides to run for reelection, it will be the most expensive judicial race in Ohio history. Bet on it.
What Most People Get Wrong About Judicial Independence
There’s this idea that once someone puts on a robe, they stop being a politician. Kinda true, kinda not.
Ohio's justices are supposed to be "independent," but when the law is vague, their philosophy takes over. Do they believe in "Judicial Restraint" (sticking strictly to what the text says) or are they more "Living Constitution" types?
Take the recent 6-3 rulings along partisan lines regarding parental rights in schools or gender-affirming care. The conservative majority has shown it is very willing to grant the state "wide discretion" to regulate these areas. If you’re a progressive, that’s a nightmare. If you’re a conservative, it’s a long-awaited return to order. This is why the Ohio Supreme Court election results aren't just about who sits in the building—it's about how much power the Governor and the Legislature actually have to do whatever they want.
The Money: Why These Races Are Getting Expensive
It used to be that a couple of hundred thousand dollars could win you a judicial seat. Those days are dead.
In the 2024 cycle, we saw millions of dollars flowing in from outside groups. Organizations like the Judicial Fairness Initiative (Republican-leaning) and various PACs supported by the ACLU or labor unions (Democratic-leaning) are treating these like Senate races.
Why? Because the Ohio Supreme Court is the final word on:
- Abortion Access: Even with the 2023 amendment passing, the court still decides how that amendment is applied to specific laws.
- Corporate Liability: Big businesses care deeply about who hears personal injury cases.
- Energy Policy: Decisions on utility rates and green energy mandates often end up here.
If a company can spend $2 million on a campaign to ensure a "business-friendly" justice gets elected, they might save $200 million in potential lawsuit payouts down the line. It's just math.
Looking Toward the 2026 Primary
The deadline for candidates to file for the May 5, 2026, primary is February 4. We’re in that weird quiet period where everyone is "exploring" a run but nobody has officially dropped the paperwork.
Jill Flagg Lanzinger is the first big Republican name to move toward the 2026 primary. She currently serves on the Ninth District Court of Appeals. Expect the Democrats to recruit heavily from the appellate courts in Cleveland and Columbus to find someone with enough "name ID" to challenge for those two seats.
Actionable Steps for Ohio Voters
Don't wait until November to figure this out. The Ohio Supreme Court election starts months before you see a TV ad.
- Check the Primary Dates: The May 5, 2026, primary will decide who even makes it to the big dance. If you’re a registered voter, that’s your first chance to weigh in.
- Research Judicial Ratings: Organizations like the Ohio State Bar Association often release "highly recommended" or "recommended" ratings based on peer reviews of the candidates' legal chops.
- Follow the Money: Sites like OpenSecrets or the Ohio Secretary of State’s campaign finance portal show you who is funding these judges. If a massive tobacco company or a specific labor union is the sole donor, that tells you something.
- Watch the Appeals: If you want to see how a candidate thinks, look at their rulings in the lower courts. Most candidates for the Supreme Court are already judges in the Court of Appeals. Their past decisions are the best predictor of their future ones.
The 2026 election cycle is going to be a marathon. Between a high-profile Governor's race (with names like Vivek Ramaswamy and Amy Acton being tossed around) and a potential U.S. Senate clash between Jon Husted and Sherrod Brown, the Supreme Court races might feel like they're in the background. But in reality, they are the foundation.
You can change the Governor, and you can change the Legislature, but if the Court stays the same, the legal interpretation of the state stays the same. That’s the real power of the bench.
Stay informed by checking the official Ohio Supreme Court website for updates on rulings that might become campaign issues as we get closer to the filing deadlines. Understanding the current bench's stance on "home rule" and legislative authority will give you a massive head start on understanding the 2026 campaign rhetoric.