Pink Rose Society

Ohio 2026 Supreme Court Election

Two seats on the Ohio Supreme Court are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. The court is currently 6–1 Republican — and if Democrats win both seats, the balance shifts to 4–3.

The two contests

  • Brunner's seat (marquee): incumbent Jennifer Brunner (D) vs. Colleen O'Donnell (R), who won a four-way GOP primary with 32.2%. Brunner is the lone Democratic justice and the only statewide-elected Democrat in Ohio.
  • Hawkins' seat: incumbent Dan Hawkins (R) vs. Marilyn Zayas (D), a First District Court of Appeals judge. Both advanced unopposed in their primaries.
  • Since a 2021 law (SB 80), Supreme Court candidates run with partisan labels in both the primary and general election.

Why court balance matters

A 6–1 court rules on Redistricting (Ohio) and map challenges, Reproductive Rights in Ohio litigation after the 2023 amendment, election law, and ballot-initiative disputes. Recent history is the tell: in 2021–22 a Republican chief justice (Maureen O'Connor) was the swing vote striking down gerrymandered maps 4–3; once the age limit removed her, that check vanished — and the court has since let maps like the 2025 plan stand.

Sources