Kari L. Bloom is seeking reelection to the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division, in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.
The Board of Elections’ Oct. 16 certified list identifies Bloom and Susan Luken as the candidates for the term beginning Feb. 14, 2027. It records Bloom’s Democratic affiliation and Luken’s Republican affiliation.
Experience
The Juvenile Court biography says Bloom’s judicial term began Feb. 14, 2021, and she became administrative judge Jan. 1, 2023.
Before taking the bench, she worked in public defense and as an Air Force contract negotiator. At the Ohio Public Defender’s Office, she served as legislative liaison and parole attorney and worked on juvenile-justice policy. The court also lists her service on statewide sentencing, bail, juvenile-justice and recodification bodies.
Priorities and record
Her current campaign biography emphasizes public safety, due process, youth stability and collaboration with families and community organizations.
On its record page, her campaign highlights trauma-informed programming, youth education and healthcare, pay equity, changes to hiring and court technology, and community prevention and mentoring. These are campaign descriptions of her record; this profile does not independently establish claimed improvements in outcomes.
The campaign says court decisions should be guided by data and rehabilitation, with interventions that address problems before young people cycle through the justice system.
Endorsements
Her current endorsement page lists Hamilton County Democrats, Planned Parenthood, AFSCME, AFL-CIO, Ohio Working Families Party, Cincinnati Federation of Teachers, Cincinnati Women’s Political Caucus, Equality Cincinnati, Hamilton County Young Democrats, National Association of Social Workers, Cincinnati Building Trades Unions and Sheet Metal Workers Local 265, among others.
Editor’s note: This profile uses official election and court records and current campaign materials.
