Elizabeth A. Tye, a Hamilton County attorney, is running for Common Pleas Court Judge in the Probate Division in the Nov. 3 general election.

Tye is challenging incumbent Judge Ralph Winkler in the nonpartisan race, according to Cincinnati CityBeat. On her campaign website, Tye says she has spent decades practicing probate law alongside families, not just observing it from the bench.

Candidate information

  • Office sought: Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge, Probate Division
  • Election date: Nov. 3, 2026
  • Party: Nonpartisan
  • Other candidate: Ralph Winkler (Nonpartisan)

Experience and public service

Tye has run her own practice since 2007.

She operates the Law Office of Elizabeth A. Tye, a private practice focused on probate law, according to her campaign website. Tye says her experience comes from working directly with families navigating the probate system.

On the issues

Tye's campaign website outlines three priorities for the Probate Court. Each position below is the candidate's own stated platform.

Court accessibility: Tye says the Probate Court should guide families through difficult moments rather than create additional barriers. She says an accessible court builds trust and ensures justice works for the people it serves.

Fairness and inclusion: Tye says courts must be accessible, inclusive and understandable for everyone. She says families deserve to be heard and treated with respect regardless of income, background or ability.

Geographic accessibility: Tye says she is committed to serving all of Hamilton County, from the urban core to surrounding communities. She says access to Probate Court should not depend on where a family lives or their ability to travel downtown. She says she supports exploring ways to make the court more accessible while maintaining efficiency and integrity.

Endorsements

Tye has received the following endorsements, according to BallotReady profile data:

  • AFL-CIO
  • Hamilton County Democratic Party

Editor's note: This profile is based on publicly available information. Tye did not respond to the Anderson-Mariemont Journal's candidate questionnaire. This outlet applies the same standards to every candidate profile regardless of response.