Judge Chris Wagner is seeking reelection to the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas, General Division, on Nov. 3, 2026. The county’s certified candidate list lists him without an opponent for the term beginning Jan. 4, 2027. It records his Democratic affiliation; party labels do not appear beside candidates for this Common Pleas seat on the general election ballot.
Experience and education
According to his campaign biography, Wagner won election in 2020. He attended Xavier University and the University of Cincinnati College of Law and has practiced law since 2000.
His career included a clerkship for Judge Ann Marie Tracey, work as a Cuyahoga County prosecutor and special assistant U.S. attorney, leadership of the Ohio attorney general’s Cincinnati office, and service as the Hamilton County clerk of courts’ chief legal officer. His campaign says he was Cincinnati Bar Association president in 2020 and received the Southwest Ohio Trial Lawyers Association’s 2023 Trial Judge of the Year award.
Judicial record
Wagner’s campaign highlights jury reforms that shortened required service and increased pay, and his work with the Veterans Treatment Court, serving veterans facing felony charges and problems including addiction, PTSD and homelessness.
The campaign also says he handled Ohio’s first serious mental illness capital murder case, removing the death penalty without prosecution objection under Ohio law. These descriptions of his record are attributed to his campaign.
Endorsements and questionnaire
The Hamilton County Democratic Party and Eastside Democratic Club endorse Wagner for 2026. He did not return this outlet’s candidate questionnaire. His official court page lists his courtroom procedures.
