WARREN — Incumbent Warren Municipal Court Judge Natasha K. Natale secured a victory Tuesday defeating challenger Irene Makridis. Natale secured 5, 572 votes (57%) to Makridi’s 4,176 (43%).

Natale, a Republican incumbent appointed to the bench in 2023 by Gov. Mike DeWine following the retirement of Judge Thomas Gysegem, campaigned on her roots in Warren and her background in prosecuting serious crimes.

After the results became final Natale said she was honored to have the trust of the community in serving as a municipal court judge.

“I was appointed to this position and immediately started assessing what I can do to service this area,” she said.

Since assuming her role, Natale has rolled out programs aimed at enhancing court operations and community ties. These include a workshop to assist residents with driver’s license problems while linking them to support services from nonprofits and state agencies, as well as a program for those with warrants to safely address their cases with legal aid. She has also welcomed high school students into the courtroom to learn about the justice system through interactions with legal professionals.

Moving forward, Natale said she wants to keep progressing her community forward as she plans to launch a certified drug court to address addiction and lower repeat offenses, visioning pathways for individuals to rebuild productively.

Makridis, a veteran defense attorney with over four decades in practice, positioned herself as a compassionate alternative, advocating for a dedicated domestic violence track and bolstered probation resources. She highlighted her work in criminal, juvenile and other cases, often aiding clients through tough times.