Judge Michael C. Mentel is running for a full term on Ohio's 10th District Court of Appeals, the appellate court that covers Franklin County.

Mentel is a Democrat. He is certified for the Nov. 3, 2026, general election ballot, according to BallotReady election data. He has served on the 10th District bench since February 2021, according to the court's website. The 10th District Court of Appeals hears appeals from Franklin County trial courts, reviewing decisions in civil, criminal and administrative cases that can affect New Albany and Gahanna residents.

Candidate information

  • Party: Democratic
  • Office sought: Ohio Appellate Court Judge, District 10 (Term Commencing 2/9)
  • Education:
  • Bachelor's degree in history and political science, Capital University (1984)
  • Juris doctor, Capital University (1987)
  • Study abroad in international contract law, Trinity College, Dublin, through the University of San Diego School of Law
  • Doctor of humane letters, honoris causa, Ohio Dominican University

Experience and public service

Before joining the appellate bench, Mentel held roles across public service and private practice, according to the court's website and BallotReady profile data.

He served as a public defender at the Franklin County Public Defender's Office. He later worked as a staff attorney and supervising attorney in the DERR program at the Ohio EPA.

Mentel served as a Columbus City Council member and council president. He also worked as chief legal officer at two corporate engineering firms and at SWACO, a governmental solid waste authority.

In private practice, Mentel was a partner at Taft, Stettinius & Hollister LLP. During those years, he was recognized in Best Lawyers in America for government law and in Chambers & Partners for environmental law, according to the court's website.

Endorsements

The AFL-CIO lists Mentel as an endorsed candidate, according to BallotReady profile data.

  • AFL-CIO

This profile was compiled from publicly available candidate information, court records and election data reviewed by our newsroom. No candidate questionnaire responses were available for this race. Voters can find more information on the 10th District Court of Appeals at tenthdistrictcourt.org.