Republican Colleen O’Donnell is running against Democratic incumbent Jennifer Brunner for an Ohio Supreme Court seat in the Nov. 3, 2026, election. The secretary of state’s official ballot directive lists the race for the term beginning Jan. 2, 2027.
Experience and public service
O’Donnell is a former Franklin County Common Pleas judge and former U.S. immigration judge. Her current campaign biography says she spent nearly a decade on the Franklin County bench before serving at the immigration court in Laredo, Texas.
She also worked at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, served as an assistant attorney general, clerked in federal court and represented business clients in private practice, according to her campaign. She is the daughter of retired Ohio Supreme Court Justice Terrence O’Donnell.
Judicial philosophy
O’Donnell describes herself as a constitutional conservative. Her campaign emphasizes applying the law as written, public safety and retaining a conservative majority on the Supreme Court. These statements describe her campaign’s judicial philosophy.
Endorsements and questionnaire
Her campaign endorsement page lists the Cleveland Police Patrolmen’s Association, Ohio Right to Life PAC, Ohio Value Voters, and the Franklin, Lake and Madison county Republican parties, among others. Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones is identified as campaign committee chairman.
These endorsements and biographical details are attributed to her campaign. O’Donnell did not return this outlet’s candidate questionnaire.
