Michael C. Mentel, a Democrat and sitting Tenth District Court of Appeals judge, is running for a full term in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

The seat covers District 10, which hears appeals from trial courts in Franklin County and surrounding counties, according to the court's website. Its rulings can shape how laws are applied across the district, affecting residents in Dublin and neighboring communities.

Mentel has served on the Tenth District bench since February 2021. He is certified for the ballot, according to BallotReady election data.

Candidate information

  • Party: Democratic
  • Office sought: Ohio Appellate Court Judge, District 10 (Term Commencing 2/9)
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in history and political science, Capital University (1984); juris doctor, Capital University (1987); study abroad in international contract law, Trinity College, Dublin, through the University of San Diego School of Law; doctor of humane letters, honoris causa, Ohio Dominican University

Experience and public service

Before joining the appellate bench, Mentel held roles in both the public and private sectors, according to the court's website and BallotReady profile data.

He served as a public defender in the Franklin County Public Defender's Office and as a staff attorney and supervising attorney in the DERR program at the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

Mentel later worked as chief legal officer at two corporate engineering firms and a governmental solid waste authority, SWACO. He was a partner at the law firm Taft, Stettinius & Hollister LLP.

In elected office, Mentel served as a Columbus City Council member and council president before his appointment to the appeals court.

His career spans multiple sectors. During his years in private practice, Mentel was recognized by Best Lawyers in America for government law and by Chambers & Partners for environmental law, according to the court's website.

On the issues

No issue responses or policy positions from Mentel were available for this profile.

Endorsements

Mentel has been endorsed by the AFL-CIO, according to BallotReady profile data.

  • AFL-CIO

Candidate profiles are based on publicly available information and candidate-provided responses reviewed by our newsroom. The Dublin Ledger did not interview the candidate for this profile.