Ohio Republicans tightened their grip on the Ohio Supreme Court from 4-3 to 6-1, ousting two incumbent Democratic justices and winning a third, open seat, the Associated Press forecast based on unofficial results. The results remain unofficial until certified by local county election officials and the Ohio Secretary of State.

The Ohio Supreme Court will decide on a wide range of issues affecting the daily lives of Ohioans, from education and environmental issues to gerrymandering and elections to civil and reproductive rights.

TThe state’s highest court has been under Republican control since 1986 Republicans currently have a 4-3 majority, which will increase to 6-1 by 2025.

Republican Judge Megan Shanahan of the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas defeated incumbent Democratic Judge Michael P. Donnelly, according to unofficial results.

“I am honored and grateful to the millions of Ohioans who have placed their trust in me as a justice on the Ohio Supreme Court,” Shanahan wrote on her Facebook campaign page. “I will stay true to my campaigns and be a Supreme Court justice who knows that my job is to interpret the law, not to make it.” I will go to work every day focused on serving citizens, to protect communities and the Ohio Constitution.”

Incumbent Republican Judge Joseph Deters defeated incumbent Democratic Judge Melody Stewart — ousting her from the court, unofficial results show.

Deters chose not to run for his current seat and won a full six-year term. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine appointed Deters, a former prosecutor, to a vacant seat in January 2023, even though he had no prior experience as a judge.

In the race for an open seat, Republican Judge Dan Hawkins defeated Democratic Judge Lisa Forbes, the AP predicted.

That race was for Deters’ vacant seat, a term that expires Dec. 31, 2026. Hawkins currently serves on the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, and Forbes is on the 8th District Court of Appeals. Hawkins will be re-elected to a full six-year term in 2026.

In 2021, Republican lawmakers added party designations to Ohio Supreme Court elections, which were previously nonpartisan.

Democratic Judge Jennifer Brunner’s seat will become vacant in 2026. The seats of Republican Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy, Republican Judge Pat DeWine and Republican Judge Pat Fischer will be vacant in 2028.

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