Leah Dinkelacker is running to keep her Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas seat in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

Gov. Mike DeWine appointed Dinkelacker to the General Division bench on March 11, 2025, to replace Megan E. Shanahan, who was elected to the Ohio Supreme Court, according to Ballotpedia. The race is nonpartisan. It also includes candidate Manisha Kotian, according to BallotReady election data.

Dinkelacker has been certified for the ballot, according to BallotReady. Hamilton County voters will decide the General Division seat on Election Day.

Candidate information

  • Name: Leah Dinkelacker
  • Party: Nonpartisan
  • Residence: Green Township, with her husband and three children, according to her campaign website
  • Education: Bachelor's degree, Miami University; J.D., Northern Kentucky University's Salmon P. Chase College of Law, 2011, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer
  • High school: Mother of Mercy High School, according to her campaign website

Dinkelacker said on her campaign website that she was born and raised on Cincinnati's West Side. She attended Mother of Mercy High School before earning her bachelor's degree at Miami University, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. She went on to earn her J.D. from Northern Kentucky University's Salmon P. Chase College of Law in 2011, the Enquirer reported.

Experience and public service

Before her appointment to the bench, Dinkelacker built her legal career in Hamilton County government. She served as a constable at the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas from 2009 to 2012, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

She then joined the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office as an assistant prosecuting attorney in 2012, according to her campaign website. She held that role until her appointment in 2025, the site states. During her time at the prosecutor's office, she rose to assistant chief of the Juvenile Division, she said on her campaign site.

Dinkelacker also serves as a member of the Ohio Supreme Court Commission for Professionalism, according to her campaign website.

On the issues

Public safety and law and order

Dinkelacker said on her campaign website that she prioritizes community safety and law and order. She said her role as judge is to interpret and uphold the law and that she treats everyone in her courtroom with dignity and respect. She described herself as dedicated and prepared for the position, according to the site.

No additional issue responses were provided by the candidate.

Candidate responses are drawn from Dinkelacker's campaign website. Voters can learn more at keepjudgeleahdinkelacker.com.