Judge Chris Brown is seeking another term on the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, General Division, in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. The nonpartisan seat is listed on the ballot as Term Commencing 7/2.
Brown was first elected to the bench in 2014, according to the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council. He hears felony criminal cases and civil disputes in the General Division.
Candidate information
- Residence: Lifelong central Ohio resident; grew up on the south side of Columbus
- Education: High school diploma, South High School (1998); bachelor's degree in political science, Ohio State University (2002); juris doctor, Capital University (2005)
Experience and public service
Brown worked as an assistant prosecutor at the Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney's Office from 2005 to 2012, according to BallotReady. He then served as managing attorney at J. Scott Weisman Law Offices from 2012 to 2015, before taking the bench.
He has held the seat since 2015.
On the issues
Judicial philosophy: Brown said on his campaign website that if reelected, he will "continue to vigorously apply the law to each case, with an eye towards the intent and the impact of the law on all people in Franklin County, regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or age."
Endorsements
The following organizations have endorsed Brown, according to the sources noted:
- Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council
- Stonewall Democrats of Central Ohio
- AFL-CIO
The Building and Construction Trades Council said Brown "is a smart, young judge who has done a tremendous job on the bench."
Candidate information was drawn from BallotReady data, the Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council endorsement page and Brown's campaign website. Issue responses reflect the candidate's own statements.
