(UPDATED) 2026 Primary Roundup: Highland County voters unofficially choose Judkins, Kirk as next Common Pleas Court judges

The May 5 primary saw Highland County voters unofficially elect two new Common Pleas Court judges, with current County Court Judge John Judkins chosen for the General Division (felony court) and Hillsboro attorney Denny Kirk elected as Juvenile and Probate Court judge.

Although both candidates will appear again on the ballot in November, the primary election effectively determined both seats since there are no Democratic candidates for either office.

Unofficial totals show Judkins defeating Hillsboro attorney Kathryn Hapner by a margin of 2,924-1,378 and Kirk defeating Hillsboro attorney Allyce Horne by a margin of 2,483-1,921, unofficially.

Overall, the primary election saw a voter turnout of 20.81 percent, with 5,613 total ballots cast.

Judkins was sworn in as County Court judge in Greenfield in January 2025. According to his campaign site, he “has extensive experience in felony and misdemeanor criminal work throughout his 15-year law career,” including as an assistant prosecutor in Chillicothe Municipal Court, where he has also been acting judge, and an assistant law director from 2021-2025. 

Judkins has a law office in Greenfield, where he has worked since 2009, and “has handled civil litigation in the Federal United States District Court, the Ohio Supreme Court and various other courts throughout Ohio,” his campaign site says. 

According to his provided biography, “A lifelong resident of Highland County and a graduate of McClain High School, Judkins actively serves as an elder and member of the Board of Session at the First Presbyterian Church of Greenfield. He has served on the Highland County Law Library Resource Board, Greenfield Civil Service Commission, is a member of the Highland County and Ohio State Bar Associations and has served as a board director for the Highland County Chamber of Commerce.” He and his wife, Danielle, have two children.

“I’m deeply grateful and humbled by the support of all of the voters who voted for me,” Judkins told The Highland County Press. “I thank everyone, including my wife and children, who have supported me throughout the process. I am excited to begin this next phase as the Common Pleas Court General Division judge.”

Judkins also posted to his campaign page, “Thank you to my opponent, Kathryn Hapner, who ran a hard-fought campaign and who will continue to serve as an attorney and civic leader in our community. 

“I am fully committed to serving Highland County with integrity, fairness, and justice. I will uphold the rule of law and ensure our courts work for every resident of our community. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart.”

Judkins will replace current Judge Rocky Coss, who has served as Common Pleas Court judge since 2008 and whose term expires Feb. 8, 2027.

Kirk has been in private practice in Hillsboro for over a decade, with experience in juvenile/probate court as well as representing clients in misdemeanor and felony cases. Prior to attending law school, Kirk was a Highland County Children Services caseworker, a licensed social worker and a detective sergeant with the Highland County Sheriff’s Office, where he specialized in child abuse cases. 

According to his provided biography, Kirk’s community service includes serving as a member of the Board of Trustees for Southern State Community College, the Highland County Law Library Resource Board, the City of Hillsboro Community Improvement Corporation, the City of Hillsboro Civil Service Commission, the board of Habitat for Humanity of Highland County and the Highland County Corrections Planning Board; as president of the Highland County Bar Association; and as a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and the Highland County Historical Society. 

Kirk also volunteers at his church, Good News Gathering, and supports activities at Hillsboro City Schools. He and his wife, Alexis, have three children. 

Kirk posted the following statement to his campaign page Wednesday morning: “To the people of Highland County, thank you. To everyone who asked for a yard sign, invited us to a local event, welcomed me onto your porch and into your home to share your thoughts, and voted for me … I am truly humbled. You’ve made this an incredible experience, and I’m so grateful for your support.

“I also want to express my respect to Allyce Horne for her campaign and her dedication to the people of Highland County. It takes a great deal of sacrifice to run for office, and I appreciate the commitment she has shown to our legal community.

“I am truly honored by the results of the 2026 Primary Election and grateful for the trust you have placed in me. Thank you, Highland County, for this opportunity to serve.”  

Kirk will replace current Judge Kevin Greer, who has served as Juvenile and Probate Court judge since 1997 and whose term expires Feb. 8, 2027.

The 2026 primary also saw one proposed income tax levy fail, unofficially, while four local options measures unofficially passed. 

Issue 1, a proposed 1.25-percent income tax for current expenses for East Clinton Local Schools, unofficially failed in both Highland and Clinton counties. Highland County voters unofficially voted against the levy with 151 votes against it and 57 for it, while in Clinton County, the proposal unofficially failed with 865 votes against the tax and 457 votes in favor. 

Issues 2, 3 and 4, for the Village of Greenfield (Greenfield North), are all local options for Sunday liquor sales, and each unofficially passed by a similar margin. Issue 2, for Sunday sales for consumption off premises, unofficially passed with 108 yes votes and 87 no votes. Issue 3, for Sunday sales for consumption on premises, passed 109-88. Issue 4, for Sunday sales for wine and mixed beverages, passed 108-90. 

Also passing was an unrelated Sunday sales option for the Rocky Road Sunoco in Paint Southwest, which unofficially had 115 yes votes and 92 no votes. 

Aside from the two judicial seats, there were no other contested primary races locally, as current Highland County Commissioner Brad Roades and Highland County Auditor Alex Butler, both Republicans, will look to retain their seats this November. (Correction Wednesday morning: A nonpartisan candidate, Howard Zody, has filed petitions to oppose Roades in the commission race this November.)

For Highland County central committees, candidates elected are as follows:

• Democratic Central Committee: Kit Lowe (Hillsboro Northeast); Mary Hamilton (Hillsboro Northwest); Charlotte Harbut (Hillsboro Southeast); Pamela Limes (Hillsboro Southwest B); Freddie Snyder (Leesburg); Jennifer Waterman (Fairfield West); Mindy M. Walker (Lynchburg); Mary Hawthorne (Dodson); Andy West (Whiteoak); John Knauff (Brushcreek); Jim Spurlock (Concord); Jolene Walker (Liberty Northeast); Linda Emery (Liberty South); Rob McCray (Madison); Dinah Phillips (Marshall); Joyce D. Ford (New Market); Linda K. Griffith (Paint North); Angela Mustard (Paint Southeast); Carol Gratsch (Paint Southwest); Paul Hughes (Salem); and Bill Kincaid (Union). 

• Republican Central Committee: Phyllis Matlack (Greenfield North); Tracy Aranyos (Hillsboro Northeast); Jeffrey A. Beery (Hillsboro Northwest); Roger Huffman (Hillsboro Southeast); Jan Vosper (Hillsboro Southwest A); Richard R. Donley (Hillsboro Southwest B); Shawn C. Priest (Leesburg); Ken Davis (Fairfield West); Richard L. Warner Jr. (Dodson); Linda K. Roush (Whiteoak); Jeff Ryan (Brushcreek); Matthew Willis (Clay); Chuck Emery (Concord); Philip John Weyrich (Jackson); Randy Sanders (Liberty Northeast); Montey Scott (Liberty Northwest); Terry L. Britton (Liberty South); Joanna Mahan (New Market); Roger Ruggles (Paint Southwest); Tina Hughes (Penn); Karen Faust (Salem); and John B. Setty (Washington). 

For state races, Highland County voters were mostly in agreement with the rest of the state, unless otherwise noted. Unofficial statewide results show Republican Vivek Ramaswamy defeating Casey Putsch to take on Democrat Amy Acton and Libertarian Don Kissick, both of whom ran unopposed, in the Ohio governor’s race this November. For attorney general, Democrat John Kulewicz defeated Elliot Forhan (whom Highland County voters supported) to face Republican Keith Faber, who ran unopposed, in November.

The secretary of state race will be between Democrat Allison Russo (who defeated Bryan Hambley), Republican Robert Sprague (who defeated Marcell Strbich) and Libertarian Tom Pruss. The state treasurer race will see Democrat Seth Walsh (unopposed) face Republican Jay Edwards (who defeated Kristina Roegner).

The auditor of state race will be between Democrat Annette Blackwell and Republican Frank LaRose, both of whom ran unopposed in the primary.

For Ohio Supreme Court races, Democrat Marilyn Zayas and Republican Daniel Hawkins, both of whom were unopposed, will face off for the Jan. 1 term. The lone contested primary saw Republican Colleen O’Donnell defeat Andrew King, Jill Lanzinger and Ronald Lewis, as O’Donnell will face Democrat Jennifer Brunner for the Jan. 2 term.

In a contested Democratic primary, former U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown defeated Ron Kincaid for the opportunity to face Republican and current Senator Jon Husted, along with Libertarian William Redpath, this November. Unofficially, Democratic candidate Don Leonard defeated Adam Miller (whom Highland County voters supported) to face Republican Mike Carey and Libertarian Brennan Barrington for the U.S. Congressional (15th District) race.

Also this November, Republican State Senator Shane Wilkin will be opposed by Democratic candidate Brian Deer, while State Representative Bob Peterson will face Democrat Amy Wright, as all four candidates were unopposed in the primary.

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