Jennifer Brunner

Associate Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court and, as of 2026, the only Democrat on the court and the only statewide-elected Democrat in Ohio. Up for re-election in the Ohio 2026 Supreme Court Election.

Key facts

• Born Feb 5, 1957. Election-law attorney before the bench.
• Ohio Secretary of State 2007–2011 — pushed paper ballots and voting-machine reform, challenged voter-registration purges during the 2008 election.
• Tenth District Court of Appeals 2015–2020; elected to the Ohio Supreme Court Nov 2020 (55%, defeating incumbent Judith French).
• Lost a 2022 bid for Chief Justice to Republican Sharon Kennedy.

Relationships

• Faces Republican Colleen O'Donnell (former Franklin County judge) in 2026 — the marquee contest that could shift the court's 6–1 balance.
• Her prior role as Secretary of State links her to the Voting Rights in Ohio and Election Administration in Ohio history of the office.

Sources

• 2026 Ohio Supreme Court election — Wikipedia (retrieved 2026-07-03)
• Jennifer Brunner — Wikipedia (retrieved 2026-07-03)