Christopher McDowell is running for Hamilton County Common Pleas Court judge in the 2026 general election. The seat fills an unexpired term.

McDowell faces one opponent, Sarah Henry, also running as nonpartisan, according to BallotReady election data. Both candidates are certified for the ballot.

The Anderson-Mariemont Journal sent McDowell a candidate questionnaire. He had not responded as of publication. The profile below is based on publicly available information.

Candidate information

  • Office sought: Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge, General Division (unexpired term commencing Jan. 3)
  • Party: Nonpartisan
  • Election date: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026
  • Education: J.D. from West Virginia University (1994)

Experience and public service

McDowell has served as a judge on the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court since 2025, according to BallotReady.

Before taking the bench, he was a partner at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP, a position BallotReady lists him holding from 2000 to the present. He began his legal career in the Judge Advocate General's Corps, serving in the U.S. Army from 1994 to 2000.

Endorsements

The Hamilton County Republican Party has endorsed McDowell, according to BallotReady, which attributes the endorsement to the endorser.

  • Hamilton County Republican Party