Terri Jamison seeks reelection to Ohio 10th District bench

Judge Terri Jamison, a Democrat on the Ohio Tenth District Court of Appeals since 2021, is running for reelection Nov. 3.

Jamison is certified for the ballot in the 2026 general election for Ohio appellate court judge, District 10. The seat carries a term commencing July 1.

Jamison said on her campaign website that she is seeking election to preserve the court's status as an independent and co-equal branch of government and to ensure "Equal Justice Under Law" for all Ohioans.

Candidate information

Party: Democratic
Current role: Judge, Ohio Tenth District Court of Appeals (2021–present)
Education: High school diploma, Welch High School; bachelor's degree in business administration, Franklin University (2000); juris doctor, Capital University (2004); honorary doctor of community leadership, Franklin University (2021)
Hometown: Originally from Welch, West Virginia

Experience and public service

Before joining the appellate bench, Jamison served as a judge on the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Domestic Relations-Juvenile Court from 2013 to 2021, according to BallotReady profile data.

Earlier in her career, Jamison said she worked as a coal miner at U.S. Steel/Olga Coal Company as a member of United Mine Workers of America Local 7635. She later held roles as a day care provider trainer, eligibility worker and fraud investigator at the West Virginia Department of Welfare, according to her campaign website.

After earning her law degree, Jamison said she interned in the civil rights section of the Ohio Attorney General's Office and at the Franklin County Public Defender's Office. She went on to serve as an assistant public defender in Franklin County.

Jamison said she founded Jamison Law Offices Co., LPA, with locations in Columbus, Mansfield and Springfield, Ohio, focusing on criminal, domestic, juvenile and probate law. BallotReady data lists her as principal of the firm from 2005 to 2012.

She also owned an Allstate Insurance agency from 1985 to 2000, according to BallotReady.

Jamison said she is a founder and executive board member of the Ohio Black Judges Association and a board member of the Ohio Association of Juvenile Court Judges. She has been appointed to the Board of Counselors for Capital University Law School and serves on Franklin University's Advisory Board for the Global Center for Healthcare Education, according to her campaign website.

On the issues

Judicial philosophy: Jamison describes her approach as "Unbossed and Unbought," stating that a judge should not be swayed by public opinion or campaign contributions. She said she interprets law by referring to original intent or original meaning at the time it was created. She applies that reading to current society to ensure justice and equity for all people, according to her campaign website.