Kelly Green is running for Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge, Probate Division, in the Nov. 3 general election. The nonpartisan race also includes Chris Junga.

Green has served as a magistrate at Franklin County Probate Court since 2010 and serves as chief magistrate. Asked why she is seeking the office in the Dublin Ledger's candidate questionnaire, Green said she believes "my experience, knowledge, and leadership have prepared me to lead the court into its next chapter." She added, "If elected, I would also be honored to become the first woman to serve as Franklin County Probate Judge."

Candidate information

Party affiliation: "Democrat"

Education: "I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Ohio University and a Juris Doctor from New England School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts."

Family: "I was born and raised in Ohio in a close-knit family of five children. My father was a steelworker for approximately 30 years, and my mother was a nurse. Their example taught me the value of hard work, responsibility, and service to others."

Family in politics or government: "No."

Occupation and work history: "I currently serve as Chief Magistrate of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Probate Division, where I have been a magistrate since 2010. As Chief Magistrate, I serve as second in command of the court, supervise magistrates and staff, oversee court and clerk operations, manage a high-volume docket, and help develop and implement court policies and procedures."

Previous elected or appointed office: "I have served as a magistrate of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, Probate Division, since 2010 and currently serve as Chief Magistrate. Magistrates are appointed judicial officers. I have not previously held elected public office."

Experience and public service

Asked what accomplishments demonstrate her readiness, Green said in our questionnaire, "As Chief Magistrate, I have helped lead a court of approximately 70 employees while maintaining my own judicial docket. I helped lead the implementation of electronic filing for all Probate Court case types and established partnerships with Legal Aid and the Columbus Metropolitan Library to help people navigate the probate process without an attorney."

She also cited statewide work: "I have taught probate law to judges and magistrates, helped develop Ohio's new-magistrate training and manual, and was asked by the Ohio Supreme Court Judicial College to help rewrite probate training for new judges."

On the issues

What sets her apart from other candidates: Green said she brings "16 years of direct judicial experience in the Franklin County Probate Court, including five years as Chief Magistrate. I have presided over virtually every type of case that comes before the court, including estates, guardianships, adoptions, trusts, mental health commitments, and complex contested matters."

What she would change as judge: Green said she "would make accessibility, education, and community engagement central to the court's long-term direction. Probate Court touches nearly every family at some point, yet many people do not understand what the court does until they suddenly need it." She wants to "bring the court further into the community through expanded outreach and education and stronger relationships with organizations that serve Franklin County residents."

Guardianship oversight: Green said guardianship "must include strong safeguards, oversight, and transparency." She noted the court "uses investigators to independently examine complaints or concerns involving a person's welfare or a guardian's conduct." When a person seeks to regain their rights, Green said, "When evidence demonstrates that an individual can safely exercise their rights, with appropriate supports or less restrictive alternatives where needed, the court should restore those rights."

Court accessibility: Green said she "helped establish a Small Estate Resource Center and develop a guardianship legal clinic to assist people without attorneys." The work continues. To measure progress, she said she "would track use of these services, filing errors, recurring problems, and processing times."

Green has been endorsed by the AFL-CIO Central Ohio Labor Council, the Franklin County Democratic Party and the Hilliard Democrats, according to Blue Voter Guide.