For Immediate Release | March 13, 2026
Marion County Judicial Selection Committee voted on retention
The Marion County Judicial Selection Committee met today to fulfill its statutory duty to determine the suitability of sixteen incumbent Superior Court judges to serve another term, subject to voter approval. Fifteen judges were determined suitable and will appear on the November ballot; one judge was not.
The committee is required to consider a judge’s suitability to serve another term based on many factors (Indiana Code section 33-33-49-13.4(b)) including improvements to the administration of justice, judicial temperament, patience, decisiveness, dedication, and public and private disciplinary matters. By statute, each judge is presumed suitable to serve another term unless at least 9 of the 14 committee members vote to find the judge unsuitable. The committee includes members appointed by the legislature, the two major political parties, four bar associations, and two appellate judges.
In addition to interviewing the judges publicly and reviewing their written submissions, committee members met privately with the judges, observed their courtroom proceedings, spoke with references, reviewed feedback from local attorneys, and met with the Executive Director of the Office of Judicial and Attorney Regulation to discuss confidentially any concerns related to compliance with the Code of Judicial Conduct.
After considering the judges’ qualifications and performance in office, the committee voted that the following 15 judges are suitable to serve another term. The judges will appear on the ballot in November for voters to decide whether each judge will be retained for another term.
- Judge A. Richard Blaiklock
- Judge Marshelle Broadwell
- Judge David Certo
- Judge Angela Davis
- Judge P.J. Dietrick
- Judge Kurt Eisgruber
- Judge Geoffrey Gaither
- Judge Ryan Gardner
- Judge Melanie Kendrick
- Judge Christina Klineman
- Judge Patricia McMath
- Judge Timothy Oakes
- Judge James Osborn
- Judge Marc Rothenberg
- Judge Phillip Sheward
The committee voted that Judge Gary Miller is not suitable to serve another term. By statute, he may complete his current term, which ends on December 31, 2026, but he is ineligible to be retained and will not be on the November ballot. The committee will seek applications to fill the upcoming vacancy at a later date.
Details on the committee, including recent changes to their responsibilities based on House Enrolled Act 1033, can be found online.
Contact
Kathryn Dolan, Chief Public Information Officer
317-234-4722
kathryn.dolan@courts.in.gov