Marilyn Zayas

Why they say you should vote for them

The candidate's own case to voters, summarized from their campaign and public statements.

• Campaigns under the slogan "Fair. Impartial. Common Sense." and describes herself as a political outsider who puts the law over politics.[1],[2]
• Says that at a time when confidence in the judiciary is eroding, judicial independence is essential.[3]
• Cites being assigned by Ohio's Chief Justice to sit on the Ohio Supreme Court and on the Second, Sixth, Eighth and Tenth District Courts of Appeals.[1],[4]
• Says she has led initiatives to reduce court costs and expand access to the courts.[2],[5]

Background

• Judge (first elected 2016 to an unexpired term; re-elected 2018 and 2024), Ohio First District Court of Appeals · 2016–present[3],[6],[7]
• Visiting judge sitting by assignment of the Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Ohio · 2018; 2025[1],[4]
• Democratic nominee for Justice (lost to Justice Pat DeWine), Ohio Supreme Court election · 2022[3]
• Attorney (intellectual property litigator, public defender, immigration attorney); founded MZD Law in 2001, Private and public practice · c. 1997–2016[4],[6]
• Adjunct professor, University of Cincinnati College of Law[6]
• Information technology manager, Procter & Gamble · 1988–1994[6]

Education

• J.D., University of Cincinnati College of Law[6],[2]
• B.S., Computer Science, City College of the City University of New York[6]

Approach to the court

• Judicial Philosophy
  Says she is "committed to applying the law, facts, and Constitution—and nothing else."[5]
• Judicial Philosophy
  Emphasizes the rule of law, predictability and consistency, and has said the court has reversed its own precedents too often in the past decade.[8]
• Elections & Democracy
  Opposes party affiliation labels on the ballot for Ohio Supreme Court and appeals court races.[8]
• Court Administration
  Disagrees with the court's April 2026 ruling allowing judges to make political endorsements, saying the issue was not properly before the court.[8]
• Access to Justice
  Created an appeals guide for self-represented litigants and set up video-equipped workstations during COVID-19; founded the Educating Tomorrow's Leaders program bringing students to the courthouse.[4]

Notable cases

Marilyn Zayas has not served on a court with published opinions we could summarize. See Background for their legal career.

In their words