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Hamilton County judge races split by party with one race too close to call

Hamilton County Courthouse
Phil Armstrong
/
Courtesy of Hamilton County

Out of the eight races for a judge position in Hamilton County, three went to Republicans and four went to Democrats. One race is still too close to call.

Republican Stacey DeGraffenreid is leading in the race for Court of Common Pleas Juvenile Division, with just 1,062 votes more than Democrat Rickell Howard Smith (out of 253,526 total votes).

All precincts are fully reported, but there are enough provisional ballots to potentially tip the scales the other direction. Or, if the votes remain within 0.5% difference, it will trigger an automatic recount.

The race is officially nonpartisan and party affiliation does not appear on the ballot, as with all the Court of Common Pleas races. But the Democratic and Republican parties endorse candidates in each race.

Judge of the Court of Appeals (1st District)

Democrat Jennifer Kinsley wins with 51.66% (150,482 votes), beating Republican Robert Winkler, who had 48.34% (140,813 votes). The two were vying for an open seat vacated by Republican Beth Myers, who is retiring. The six-year term goes through 2028.

Winkler currently serves in another seat in the Court of Appeals; he was first elected in November 2018 for a term ending at the end of 2024.

Judge of the Court of Common Pleas

Incumbent Democrat Jody Luebbers wins with 61.29% (158,034 votes) over Christopher McDowell's 38.71% (99,832 votes).

Judge of the Court of Common Pleas

Republican Pat Dinkelacker wins with 52.08% (138,153 votes) over Democrat Thomas Beridon's 47.92% (127,132 votes).

Judge of the Court of Common Pleas

Incumbent Democrat Tom Heekin wins with 59.22% (150,789 votes) over Charles Kubicki, Jr.'s 40.78% (103,832 votes).

Judge of the Court of Common Pleas

Incumbent Republican Megan Shanahan wins with 54.69% (140,880 votes) over Democrat Bernard Mundy's 45.31% (116,704 votes).

Judge of the Court of Common Pleas (Domestic Relations)

Democrat Anne Flottman wins with 57.69% (145,329 votes) over Jon Sieve's 42.31% (106,587 votes).

Judge of the Court of Common Pleas (Domestic Relations)

Republican Betsy Sundermann wins with 52.85% (134,595 votes) over Democrat Manisha Kotian's 47.15% (120,068 votes).

Corrected: November 9, 2022 at 11:45 PM EST
A previous version of this story said Jennifer Kinsley unseated Robert Winkler in the First District Court of Appeals. The story has been updated to show that Winkler currently serves on the Court of Appeals but was running for a separate open seat.
Local Government Reporter with a particular focus on Cincinnati; experienced journalist in public radio and television throughout the Midwest. Enthusiastic about: civic engagement, public libraries, and urban planning.