Chris Junga is running for Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge in the Probate Division in the Nov. 3 general election. The nonpartisan race also includes Kelly Green.

Asked why he is seeking the office, Junga said in our questionnaire: "I am running because Franklin County families deserve a Probate Court that is fair, accessible, timely and responsive. Citizens rely on Probate Court during deeply personal circumstances - the loss of a loved one, an adoption, a guardianship or the need to protect a vulnerable individual."

Candidate information

Residence: Junga said he resides "in Upper Arlington with my wife Sarah, and together we are proud parents of five children in our blended family, ranging from high school, to students at the University of Tennessee, Miami of Ohio, and a member of TBDBITL at The Ohio State University."

Education: Junga said: "I received a BA from the University of Toledo in Political Science in 1996, and a JD from the University of Toledo College of Law in 1999. I am also a proud graduate of public schools at Woodward High School. I grew up in a hardworking, blue-collar family and became the first person in my family to attend college, ultimately earning my law degree, while working and self-funding my education."

Family in politics or government: "No."

Party affiliation: Junga said: "This is a non-partisan election, however I have received the endorsement of the Franklin County Republican Party."

Experience and public service

Junga said he has not previously served as a judge. According to BallotReady profile data, his career includes serving as assistant public defender at Franklin County from 2001 to 2012, chief public defender and director of the Ross County Office of the Ohio Public Defender from 2018 to 2021, and senior attorney at Luftman, Heck & Associates from 2023 to 2025. He ran as a Republican candidate for Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, General Division, in 2010, according to state election records.

Asked about accomplishments, Junga said in our questionnaire: "For more than 25 years, my extensive legal experience has taught me to listen carefully, prepare thoroughly, make difficult decisions, communicate clearly, and remain steady when the stakes are high. I served as a Chief Public Defender during COVID and proudly kept the office open, working and moving cases along, all while providing for the safety of my staff."

On the issues

What sets him apart: Junga said: "I bring more than 25 years of real courtroom experience, and a career spent representing actual clients who depended on the legal system working fairly and efficiently. My opponent has never represent a client or litigated a case. … I also bring executive leadership from serving as a Chief Public Defender, hiring motivated staff, managing a million dollar budget, and being accessible to the public."

Making probate court easier to use: Junga said: "Probate is unique in the fact that a great number of those who come before it do not have attorneys. This requires a more hands on, approachable court to help guide the needs of these litigants." He said in our questionnaire that "the Court requires efiling in all matters" and that people "are required to email questions, wait for a response, or set up a meeting weeks out." Junga said: "I will have staff available to make the court easier to navigate, and allow paper filing for individuals who do not have access to, or have difficulties using efiling."

Guardianship oversight: Junga said: "In guardianships and any other matter, every person before the Court will be treated with dignity, listened to carefully, and given a clear understanding of what happens next. … Court appointed guardians need to be properly vetted, and not simply just someone who has been on the Court's list for years, contributed to campaign fundraisers and quietly keep the status quo."

Junga, who said he is the endorsed candidate of the Fraternal Order of Police, said he addressed what he called a major concern of local law enforcement in guardianship matters: "unnecessary court delays and lack of responsiveness resulted in elderly and disabled individuals who police discover durning wellness checks not get the services and help needed."

More information is at Junga's campaign website.