Democratic Justice Jennifer Brunner is seeking reelection to the Ohio Supreme Court on Nov. 3, 2026. She faces Republican Colleen O’Donnell for the term beginning Jan. 2, 2027, according to the secretary of state’s official ballot directive.
Experience and education
Brunner began her Supreme Court term Jan. 2, 2021, after winning election in 2020, according to her official biography. Her earlier service included the Tenth District Court of Appeals, Franklin County Common Pleas Court and the Ohio secretary of state’s office.
She served as secretary of state from 2007 to 2011 and received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award in 2008. As a trial judge, she founded Franklin County’s adult felony drug court.
In her 2026 Judicial Votes Count responses, Brunner lists a 1978 sociology-gerontology degree from Miami University and a 1983 law degree from Capital University. She also reports pursuing a sociology doctorate at the University of York. Her career includes private election-law practice and international rule-of-law work.
Judicial priorities
Brunner’s current Judicial Votes Count responses emphasize fairness, equality and respect, experienced court administration, and using technology and artificial intelligence in the public interest. She says her work administering a statewide office and law firm informs her approach to court management.
Her current campaign highlights fair treatment of workers and businesses, public safety and consumer protection as examples of issues that can reach the court. These are statements of her approach, not promises to decide particular cases a certain way.
Endorsements and questionnaire
Her 2026 Judicial Votes Count submission lists endorsements including AFL-CIO Ohio, Matriots, the Ohio Education Association and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio. These are candidate-reported endorsements. She did not return this outlet’s questionnaire.
