Judge Andrew King has announced his candidacy for the Ohio Supreme Court, setting up a contest against incumbent Justice Pat Fischer in the 2026 election.
The announcement indicates the race is poised to influence the ideological balance of Ohio’s highest court.
King, currently serving on Ohio’s 5th District Court of Appeals, brings a diverse legal background to his candidacy. His experience spans roles as an assistant public defender, assistant prosecuting attorney, and staff attorney for the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.
“My oath is to the Constitution of the United States and the state of Ohio and to follow the laws of the state,” King stated, adding: “Every case is the most important case to the litigants involved.”
Justice Pat Fischer, a Republican first elected to the Ohio Supreme Court in 2016 and re-elected in 2022, is constitutionally barred from seeking another full term when his current term ends in 2028. Consequently, he has announced a bid to unseat fellow Justice Jennifer Brunner, a Democrat, in the 2026 election.
This type of lateral move does not come without consternation from some observers. “While it may be legal, Republicans around the state are starting to see this as the ‘Swampy Switch,’” Steve Baker, former Perry County Republican party chairman, said. “This scheme might work at Harvard or in the D.C. swamp, but it won’t work with Ohio Republicans.”
Fischer describes himself as a “reliable Christian Conservative” committed to conservative values and judicial restraint. Fischer’s judicial philosophy is rooted in textualism. He asserts, “I apply the words of the statute to the facts of the case and that’s it. And sometimes it’s perceived as conservative, sometimes it’s perceived as liberal, but it’s really neither. It’s textualism.”
Many supporters of King insist it is time for the old guard, like Fischer, to retire and for a new generation of conservative judges to take the mantle forward.
“We respect the past generation of judges and thank them for what they’ve done, but Pat Fischer started his legal career back when court opinions were written on typewriters and Al Gore hadn’t even invented the internet yet!” Coshocton County Republican Party Chairman Steve Hall said. “It’s time for a new generation of energetic conservative judges like Andrew King.”
The race between King and Fischer reflects broader partisan dynamics within Ohio’s judiciary. In 2021, Ohio enacted a law requiring judicial candidates to declare their party affiliation on ballots, a move that has sparked debate about the politicization of the judiciary. King, a Republican, acknowledges the impact of this change, stating, “In districts that are primarily a Republican constituency, you’re seeing it shift to Republican judges. In districts where it’s primarily a Democratic constituency, you’re seeing the switch to Democrat judges.”
While aligning with conservative principles, Fischer has occasionally sided with the court’s liberal justices on certain issues, including rulings related to self-defense and reproductive rights. He maintains, “I am my own boss. No one tells Pat Fischer what to do.”
The outcome of this race could have significant implications for the ideological composition of the Ohio Supreme Court. With Justice Fischer seeking to unseat Justice Brunner, the court’s lone Democrat, and Judge King entering the race, voters will have the opportunity to influence the court’s direction on key issues, including redistricting, abortion rights, and criminal justice reform.
