The Ballot Brief
Hamilton County, Ohio

Hamilton Juvenile Judge

2 candidates are tracked for Hamilton Juvenile Judge on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Kari L. Bloom and Susan Luken. 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. Term commencing February 14, 2027.

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, Kari L. Bloom, is on the ballot.

Ohio › Hamilton County › Hamilton Juvenile Judge

Kari L. Bloom

Democratic Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Focusing the juvenile court on rehabilitation and reform rather than purely punitive approaches
  • Bringing equitable, trauma-informed practices to the court's work

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Kari L. Bloom is Hamilton County's sitting juvenile court judge, per the board of elections schedule of elected offices.

Susan Luken

Republican

Top priorities
  • Compassionate leadership for children and families in difficult circumstances
  • Fair and dignified treatment of everyone who comes before the court

Per the campaign site.

Biography

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

Next on your ballotOhio Senate District 7

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Voting info and more

Voting info and more
Questions about this race

Who is running for Hamilton Juvenile Judge in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Hamilton Juvenile Judge on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Kari L. Bloom and Susan Luken. Candidate information follows official Hamilton County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Hamilton Juvenile Judge 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
Ohio Senate District 9Ohio House District 24Ohio House District 25See all 20 Hamilton County races
Candidate profiles
Kari L. Bloom, full profileSusan Luken, full profileOfficial Ohio election office