Michael C. Mentel, a Democrat and sitting Tenth District Court of Appeals judge, is running for a full term in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. The Tenth District hears appeals from trial courts across Franklin County, including cases that affect Hilliard-area residents.

Mentel has served on the appellate court since February 2021, according to the court's website. He is certified for the ballot, according to BallotReady election data.

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 bench, Mentel built a career spanning public service and private practice, according to the Tenth District Court's website.

He served as a public defender at the Franklin County Public Defender's Office. He also worked as a staff attorney and supervising attorney in the DERR Program at the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.

Mentel held the role of chief legal officer at two corporate engineering firms and a governmental solid waste authority known as SWACO. He was also a partner at the law firm Taft, Stettinius & Hollister LLP, according to BallotReady.

His peers recognized him. During private practice, Mentel was listed in Best Lawyers in America for government law and in Chambers & Partners for environmental law, according to the court's website.

Mentel served on Columbus City Council, where he held the position of council president, according to the court's website.

Endorsements

Mentel has been endorsed by the AFL-CIO, according to BallotReady.

  • AFL-CIO

This profile was built from publicly available candidate information reviewed by Hilliard Herald producers. No candidate questionnaire responses were available for this race. Voters can find more information through the Tenth District Court of Appeals and BallotReady.