Republican
Chris Junga
Background and Bio
Chris Junga was raised in Toledo. He earned a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Toledo and a J.D. from the University of Toledo College of Law. He spent about 12 years at the Franklin County Public Defender’s Office, later served as Director/Chief Public Defender of the Ross County Office of the Ohio Public Defender, and was a senior assistant and, in 2022, interim chief public defender in Delaware County. In private practice, including medical malpractice defense at Arnold Todaro Welch & Foliano, he has handled civil, domestic, and criminal cases, and he says he has tried more than 100 jury trials to verdict. Junga lives in Upper Arlington with his wife, Sarah. The couple has five children in their blended family.
Policy Issue Summaries
- Judicial Philosophy and Interpretative Approach: According to his campaign, Junga has described his philosophy as “Get things done – listen, make the decision, explain it clearly, and keep the work moving.” He said decisions would remain grounded in the facts and the law, applied consistently and without favoritism.
- Guardianship, Public Safety and Court Access: Junga's campaign has pointed to a major concern of local law enforcement in guardianship, describing “unnecessary court delays and lack of responsiveness” that left elderly and disabled people found during police wellness checks without needed services. He said he would have staff available to help people navigate the court and would “allow paper filing for individuals who do not have access to, or have difficulties using e-filing.”
Endorsements
- Fraternal Order of Police, Capital City Lodge #9
- Columbus Education Association
- Franklin County Republican Party
Background and Bio
Chris Junga was raised in Toledo. He earned a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Toledo and a J.D. from the University of Toledo College of Law. He spent about 12 years at the Franklin County Public Defender’s Office, later served as Director/Chief Public Defender of the Ross County Office of the Ohio Public Defender, and was a senior assistant and, in 2022, interim chief public defender in Delaware County. In private practice, including medical malpractice defense at Arnold Todaro Welch & Foliano, he has handled civil, domestic, and criminal cases, and he says he has tried more than 100 jury trials to verdict. Junga lives in Upper Arlington with his wife, Sarah. The couple has five children in their blended family.
Policy Issue Summaries
- Judicial Philosophy and Interpretative Approach: According to his campaign, Junga has described his philosophy as “Get things done – listen, make the decision, explain it clearly, and keep the work moving.” He said decisions would remain grounded in the facts and the law, applied consistently and without favoritism.
- Guardianship, Public Safety and Court Access: Junga's campaign has pointed to a major concern of local law enforcement in guardianship, describing “unnecessary court delays and lack of responsiveness” that left elderly and disabled people found during police wellness checks without needed services. He said he would have staff available to help people navigate the court and would “allow paper filing for individuals who do not have access to, or have difficulties using e-filing.”
Endorsements
- Fraternal Order of Police, Capital City Lodge #9
- Columbus Education Association
- Franklin County Republican Party
Last Updated:2026-10-19
