Colleen O'Donnell
Republican · OH
Colleen O'Donnell is a former federal immigration judge, former Franklin County Common Pleas Court judge, former assistant Ohio attorney general and Public Utilities Commission lawyer, and the 2026 Republican candidate for the Ohio Supreme Court term beginning January 2, 2027. Her campaign emphasizes textual legal interpretation, public safety, and immigration enforcement.
Track record
Public Safety and Crime Control
· 1 record
O'Donnell imposed a jointly recommended 14-year prison sentence in an explosives and arson case; the appellate court later affirmed the judgment.
February 11, 2020For
Source: supremecourt.ohio.gov · researched July 13, 2026
Civil Rights
· 1 record
O'Donnell's campaign reported that during her service as a federal immigration judge she did not grant asylum and entered removal orders in the matters she decided.
May 1, 2026Against
Source: news.bloomberglaw.com · researched July 13, 2026
Impartiality
· 1 record
An Ohio judicial-campaign ethics panel found that Colleen O'Donnell violated campaign-conduct rules by reposting an endorsement that incorrectly described her as a current judge; the panel imposed no sanction.
April 21, 2026Against
Source: news.bloomberglaw.com · researched July 13, 2026
Integrity and Ethics
· 1 record
An Ohio judicial-campaign ethics panel found that Colleen O'Donnell violated campaign-conduct rules by reposting an endorsement that incorrectly described her as a current judge; the panel imposed no sanction.
April 21, 2026
Source: news.bloomberglaw.com · researched July 13, 2026
Elections
- Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio (Full term commencing 01/02/2027) · November 3, 2026 · Ohio
Profile last researched July 13, 2026.