Nathan G. Nikirk
Republican · IN · Judge, Lawrence Circuit Court
Nathan G. Nikirk has been judge of the Lawrence Circuit Court since Governor Eric Holcomb appointed him in 2019, and voters elected him to a full term in 2020. He says he is committed to applying the law fairly, impartially, and consistently.
Track record
Track record — General
General · 6 records
Ordered Bloomington to pay $37,500 in legal fees to the residents who defeated its annexation of two areas. He ruled that state law caps these fees and rejected arguments for a larger award.
July 24, 2026
Source: bsquarebulletin.com
Won a $41,000 state grant to make the courthouse annex safer. The money paid for a secure vehicle entrance, new lighting, a safe door, and a holding cell. He told county commissioners the project needed no local tax money.
January 28, 2025
Source: wbiw.com
Blocked Bloomington from annexing two west-side areas (Areas 1A and 1B) after a weeklong trial. He found the annexation was not in the best interests of the landowners. He cited shortages in city services such as police and public works.
August 7, 2024
Source: idsnews.com
Rejected the City of Bloomington's challenge to a 2019 state law that voided old agreements in which landowners gave up the right to fight annexation. He ruled the city could not bring that claim against the state. The ruling covered five annexation areas.
June 18, 2024
Source: bsquarebulletin.com
Denied county residents' request for a second 90-day window to gather signatures against Bloomington's annexation plan. He served as special judge in the Monroe County case. He ruled that COVID-19 did not stop residents from filing their petitions.
February 24, 2023
Source: bloomington.in.gov
Was appointed judge of the Lawrence Circuit Court by Governor Eric Holcomb. He filled the seat left by Judge Andrea McCord, who became a federal bankruptcy judge. Before that he was the court's juvenile referee.
September 24, 2019
Source: events.in.gov
Track record — Impartiality
Impartiality · 1 unfavorable
Had two protection orders he issued in a stalking case reversed by the Indiana Court of Appeals. The court found he did not act as a neutral judge at the hearing. It pointed to remarks such as telling a parent to "sit there and shut your mouth." It sent the case to a different judge for a new hearing (case 21A-PO-2290).
April 29, 2022Unfavorable on Impartiality
Source: public.courts.in.gov
Track record — Legal Competence
Legal Competence · 1 favorable
Had his ruling that blocked Bloomington's annexation of two areas upheld by the Indiana Court of Appeals. The three judges agreed that he did not misread state annexation law.
September 24, 2025Favorable on Legal Competence
Source: bsquarebulletin.com
Past race Nathan G. Nikirk ran in:
- Judge of the Lawrence Circuit Court, 81st Judicial Circuit · November 3, 2026 · Lawrence County, Indiana · incumbent