Judge Christopher McDowell is running to retain a Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas, General Division, seat in the Nov. 3, 2026, election. He faces Sarah Henry for an unexpired term ending Jan. 3, 2029, according to the county’s certified candidate list.
The list records McDowell as Republican and Henry as Democratic. Party labels do not appear beside candidates for this Common Pleas seat on the general election ballot.
Experience and public service
McDowell’s official court biography says Gov. Mike DeWine appointed him in August 2025 and that he took the bench in September 2025.
Before his appointment, McDowell was a partner at Strauss Troy and served as prosecutor for Newtown and Wyoming. He joined Strauss Troy in 2015 after working at Dinsmore, where he had been an equity partner. He joined Dinsmore in 2000 following service in the U.S. Army’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps.
His military assignments included Korea, Germany and Bosnia. His final Army assignment was leading criminal defense for the First Infantry Division at Fort Riley, according to the biography.
Approach to the court
McDowell’s published courtroom procedures encourage settlement discussions, professional cooperation and appropriate use of remote proceedings. Those procedures describe how he manages cases; they are not a campaign policy platform.
McDowell did not return this outlet’s candidate questionnaire. This profile is based on current election records and the court’s biography and procedures.
