Hamilton County, Ohio

Hamilton Common Pleas Judge Unexpired Term A

2 candidates are tracked for Hamilton Common Pleas Judge Unexpired Term A on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Chris McDowell and Sarah Henry. Candidate information follows official Hamilton County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Judicial candidates appear without party labels on Ohio ballots; parties shown are from the May primary nominations, per the county board of elections certified list. Unexpired term ending January 3, 2029; Sarah Henry won the May Democratic primary with 72.8 percent.

What this office does

Trial court judge. A trial judge presides over criminal and civil cases at the first level: bail and pleas, motions, trials, sentencing and civil judgments. Judges are bound by state law and appellate precedent and are barred by judicial conduct rules from campaigning on how they would rule. Most states elect trial judges on a nonpartisan ballot; the term and the courts a judge may sit on vary by state.

This race. The sitting officeholder, Chris McDowell, is on the ballot.

Ohio › Hamilton County › Hamilton Common Pleas Judge Unexpired Term A

Chris McDowell

Republican Incumbent

Top priorities

Fair administration of justice with compassion, common sense and dignity for all
Supporting rehabilitation and recovery approaches in the criminal justice system

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Chris McDowell is a U.S. Army Judge Advocate General officer who spent nearly 15 years at Dinsmore & Shohl and later became a shareholder at the Strauss Troy law firm, according to his campaign site. Governor Mike DeWine appointed him to the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas in 2025, per Court News Ohio. Chris McDowell appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Hamilton Common Pleas Judge Unexpired Term A, per the county elections office's certified candidate list.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Sarah Henry

Democratic

Top priorities

Public service, rule of law and compassion in the courtroom
Strengthening communities, including work against homelessness

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Sarah Henry is on the board of elections certified candidate list for this seat's November 3, 2026 ballot.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotHamilton Common Pleas Judge Unexpired Term B

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Hamilton Common Pleas Judge Unexpired Term A in 2026?

When is the Hamilton Common Pleas Judge Unexpired Term A election in Ohio?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Ohio are on the Ohio election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Hamilton County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Hamilton County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Ohio election office, or see the full Hamilton County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Hamilton County ballot

20 tracked races in Hamilton County, Ohio. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Hamilton Probate Judge Hamilton Juvenile Judge Ohio Senate District 7 See all 20 Hamilton County races

Candidate profiles

Chris McDowell, full profile Sarah Henry, full profile Official Ohio election office