Candidate for Ohio Supreme Court Justice (term beginning Jan 1, 2027)
Dan Hawkins
RepublicanIncumbent
Daniel R. "Dan" Hawkins, a Republican, has served on the Ohio Supreme Court since December 2024 after winning the remaining two years of an unexpired term, and is seeking a full six-year term. He previously served as a Franklin County Common Pleas judge, a Franklin County Municipal Court Environmental Division judge, and a Franklin County prosecutor. His campaign emphasizes his prosecutorial and trial-court experience and upholding the rule of law.
- Current or most recent role
- Justice, Supreme Court of Ohio
- Hometown
- Columbus
- Campaign website
- hawkinsforohio.com
Why they say you should vote for them
The candidate's own case to voters, summarized from their campaign and public statements.
- Cites 13 years as a Franklin County trial prosecutor, the last 10 as director of the office's Special Victims Unit, which handles crimes of violence against women and children.[1],[2]
- Says his background will let him "thoughtfully interpret and uphold the law" and describes a commitment to diligence, integrity and dedication to justice.[3]
- Says he earned high ratings from the Columbus Bar Association while serving on the Franklin County Common Pleas Court.[3]
- Said in a 2024 voter guide that he is running because he wants his children to grow up in an Ohio that is safe and prosperous.[4]
Background
- Justice, Supreme Court of Ohio · 2024–present[1],[5]
- Judge, General Division, Franklin County Court of Common Pleas · 2019–2024[4],[6]
- Judge, Environmental Division (appointed July 2013, later elected), Franklin County Municipal Court · 2013–2019[1],[4]
- Assistant Prosecuting Attorney; Director, Special Victims Unit, Franklin County Prosecutor's Office · 2001–2013[1],[4]
Education
Approach to the court
- Judicial PhilosophyPledged at his 2025 investiture to work every day to make sure "the rule of law is upheld, that our Constitution is honored."[7]
- Judicial PhilosophyWrote in a 2025 unanimous opinion that courts "should ordinarily decide cases based on issues raised by the parties," applying the principle of party presentation.[8]
- Public SafetyWrote a 2022 guest column supporting State Issue 1, a constitutional amendment on bail, saying judges in Ohio have always considered public safety when setting bail.[9],[3]
- Court AdministrationAs an Environmental Division judge, introduced strategies for problem properties such as vacant structures and started a neighborhood clean-up program using court-ordered community service.[1]
Notable cases
Selected cases in which this judge wrote or joined an opinion.
| Case | Role | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Doe v. Columbus, 2026-Ohio-1095 Held 5-2 that Columbus could immediately appeal a preliminary injunction blocking two city gun ordinances; Hawkins wrote the majority opinion. (Supreme Court of Ohio) | Majority[10] | Apr 1, 2026 |
| State v. King, 2026-Ohio-2656 Held 4-3 that prosecutors may seek leave to appeal a judge's post-verdict judgment of acquittal, overruling a 1987 precedent. (Supreme Court of Ohio) | Majority[11] | Jul 14, 2026 |
| In re Application of Oak Run Solar Project, L.L.C., 2026-Ohio-1849 Reversed the Power Siting Board's permit for a Madison County solar project over missing visual renderings; Hawkins wrote separately that more environmental, water and wildlife information was also required. (Supreme Court of Ohio) | Concurrence[12],[13] | May 26, 2026 |
| Disciplinary Counsel v. Rudduck, 2026-Ohio-1126 Held 5-1 that the judicial-conduct rule barring judges from endorsing candidates for other offices violates the First Amendment. (Supreme Court of Ohio) | Majority[14],[15] | Apr 2, 2026 |
| Z.J. v. R.M., 2025-Ohio-5662 Held 5-2 that a petitioner for a civil stalking protection order must show a belief that the offender will cause mental distress, not actual distress; Hawkins wrote the majority opinion. (Supreme Court of Ohio) | Majority[16] | Dec 23, 2025 |
In their words
“I want my children to grow up in an Ohio that is safe and prosperous.”
“show the voters in two years that they should keep me on even longer”
Sources
- Justice Daniel R. Hawkins, Supreme Court of Ohio
- OH Supreme Court candidates Hawkins, Zayas on party labels, political endorsements, Ideastream Public Media, October 7, 2026
- Meet Justice Hawkins, Hawkins for Ohio (campaign)
- Ohio Supreme Court: Forbes vs. Hawkins, Signal Akron, October 8, 2024
- Erie County Candidate Filings for November 3rd, 2026 General Election, Erie County Board of Elections, August 26, 2026
- Daniel R. Hawkins, BallotReady
- Justice Hawkins investiture, Court News Ohio, February 14, 2025
- Supreme Court Finds Trial Court Should Not Conduct Hearing Neither Party Requested, Court News Ohio, May 28, 2025
- Franklin County judge: Issue 1 will restore 'common-sense' notion public safety matters, The Columbus Dispatch, October 27, 2022
- Columbus Can Appeal Trial Court's Preliminary Injunction of Gun Laws, Court News Ohio, April 1, 2026
- Prosecutor Can Appeal Judge's Decision to Overturn Jury's Guilty Verdict, Court News Ohio, July 14, 2026
- Ohio Supreme Court determines more information is needed for Madison County Solar Project, Ohio State University Extension, Farm Office, June 8, 2026
- Opinions Authored by Justice Daniel R. Hawkins, Supreme Court of Ohio, September 30, 2026
- Disciplinary Counsel v. Rudduck, Slip Opinion No. 2026-Ohio-1126, Supreme Court of Ohio, April 2, 2026
- Ohio Supreme Court lifts decades-old ban on judges making political endorsements, Meigs Independent Press, April 16, 2026
- Supreme Court Clarified Requirements for Granting Civil Stalking Protection Orders, Court News Ohio, December 23, 2025
- Republicans gain near-total control of Ohio Supreme Court, Ideastream Public Media (Statehouse News Bureau), November 6, 2024
Photo: Official portrait, Supreme Court of Ohio (Government-issued official portrait).
Last reviewed October 9, 2026. Spot an error or something missing? Report a correction.
Also running for Ohio Supreme Court Justice (term beginning Jan 1, 2027)
- Marilyn Zayas (Democratic)