Susan Luken, a magistrate and assistant court administrator at Hamilton County Probate Court, is running for Hamilton County juvenile court judge.
The nonpartisan race appears on the Nov. 3, 2026, Ohio general election ballot. Kari L. Bloom is also running for the seat.
Candidate information
- Name: Susan Luken
- Party: Nonpartisan
- Office sought: Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge, Juvenile Division (Term Commencing 2/14)
- Education: Bachelor's degree, University of Cincinnati; juris doctor, University of Cincinnati College of Law (2002)
- Bar admissions: Ohio Bar; United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
- Professional memberships: Ohio Magistrates Association, Ohio Association for Court Administration, Cincinnati Bar Association
- Personal: Born and raised in Cincinnati in a working-class family, according to the Hamilton County Probate Court website
Experience and public service
Luken has spent most of her legal career inside Hamilton County courthouses. She worked in commercial litigation at Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP before joining the court system. Her career spans more than two decades.
She served as a law clerk at the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court General Division from 2006 to 2011. She then served as a magistrate at Hamilton County Juvenile Court from 2011 to 2012, according to the Probate Court website.
Luken moved to an assistant court administrator role at the Common Pleas Court General Division from 2012 to 2021 and returned to Juvenile Court as a magistrate from 2021 to 2023, according to the Probate Court website. She has served as magistrate and assistant court administrator at Hamilton County Probate Court since 2023, according to BallotReady profile data.
Luken was selected for Law Review at the University of Cincinnati College of Law.
On the issues
The following positions are drawn from Luken's campaign website and reflect her own stated views.
Child protection: Luken said juvenile court plays a critical role in protecting children who have been abused or neglected. She said every child deserves a safe, stable home and the opportunity to grow and thrive in a healthy environment. She said delays in case processing and indecision can compound the trauma children have already experienced.
Juvenile justice and accountability: Luken said she would enforce the law fairly, hold offenders accountable, support victims and help young people return to the right path before mistakes become lifelong patterns. She said dispositions should reflect the seriousness of the offense and its impact on victims and the community.
Judicial integrity and court reform: Luken said she would administer justice impartially and consistently, set clear expectations and ensure that victims have a voice. She said she would support evidence-based programs and strong partnerships with law enforcement, schools, children's services and community organizations.
Endorsements
The following endorsement was claimed by the endorsing organization:
- Hamilton County Republican Party — Luken is included on the party's official 2026 judicial slate for juvenile court, according to the Hamilton County Republican Party announcement.
Issue responses in this profile come from the candidate's own campaign website and reflect her stated positions. The Hyde Park-Oakley Record presents them for voter information and does not endorse candidates.
