T-L Photo/GAGE VOTA Son Ciaran Flanagan, wife Jennifer Flanagan, Current Belmont County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan, and daughters Kane Flanagan, and Rowan Flanagan celebrate Flanagan winning the republican primary election for Court of Common Pleas Judge.

MARTINS FERRY — Belmont County Prosecutor Kevin Flanagan of Bellaire defeated Michael P. McCormick of Bethesda in the 2026 Belmont County Republican primary for Court of Common Pleas judge.

Flanagan received 3,095 votes, while McCormick received 1,050.

He will replace current Common Pleas Judge John Vavra, whose term expires at the end of 2026.

Flanagan will leave his position as county prosecutor to be sworn into his new role.

A lifelong Belmont County resident, Flanagan graduated from St. John High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Ohio State. He received his law degree in 1994 from the University of Toledo College of Law.

He began his legal career in Belmont County, working for Prosecutor Frank Pierce and Chief Assistant Prosecutor Bob Quirk — first as a clerk during law school and later as an assistant prosecutor.

Flanagan was elected prosecutor in 2021 and is now serving his second term. He said that, with the assistance and support of both former and current Belmont County commissioners, he and his co-workers have been able to grow the office in line with its caseload.

From 2001 to 2013, Flanagan served as an acting judge in all three county courts, marking a previous stint on the bench.

In addition to his courtroom work, he has served as an adjunct professor at Belmont College and as an instructor at the Mid-Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy.

“I’m so appreciative of the outpouring of support by the residents of Belmont County throughout this campaign. They have been nothing but supportive, kind and enthusiastic,” he said. “I understand that when the time comes, the shoes I will have to fill — starting with, obviously, Judge Vavra, who will remain on the bench until Jan. 1, and even his predecessor, Judge [John] Sullivan — are significant. Having practiced in front of them on numerous occasions, you understand the importance of the job and learn from their approach to the position.”