Jenkins seeks second term on Hamilton County bench

Christian A. Jenkins is running for a second term as Hamilton County Common Pleas Court judge in the General Division. He faces Betsy Sunderman in the nonpartisan general election.

Jenkins has served on the Common Pleas bench since 2021, according to BallotReady profile data. Before taking the bench, he worked in private legal practice in the Cincinnati area, spending time as both an associate attorney and a managing partner at local firms.

The Jenkins campaign did not respond to the Montgomery-Blue Ash Courier's candidate questionnaire.

Candidate information

Office sought: Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge, General Division (Term Commencing 1/2)
Election: Nov. 3, 2026
Party: Nonpartisan
Opponent: Betsy Sunderman (Nonpartisan)
Education: Bachelor's degree in political science and government, Penn State University (1991); JD, University of Wisconsin (1995)

Experience and public service

Jenkins earned his bachelor's degree in political science and government from Penn State University in 1991 and his JD from the University of Wisconsin in 1995, according to BallotReady profile data.

He began his legal career as an associate attorney at Sirkin, Pinales, Mezibov & Schwartz, where he worked from 1999 to 2003. He then served as managing partner at Mezibov & Jenkins, Co. LPA from 2003 to 2007, and went on to lead Minnillo & Jenkins, Co. LPA as managing partner from 2007 to 2020.

He took the bench in 2021.

On the issues

Jenkins's campaign website highlights his position on abortion rights. In a statement the campaign attributes to his October 2024 opinion in Preterm-Cleveland v. Yost, Jenkins said: "Ohio voters have spoken. The Ohio Constitution now unequivocally protects the right to abortion."

The campaign lists no other policy positions. Jenkins did not return the Courier's questionnaire, so no additional issue responses are available for this profile.