Todd Cone Will Seek District Judge Position
The veteran municipal judge is launching a campaign for the nonpartisan seat to serve the Bartlesville community.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Law
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Municipal judge Todd Cone announced he will run for district judge in the 2026 election. Cone intends to leverage his decades of experience to oversee a variety of cases if elected.
Why it matters
The candidacy highlights the transition of long-term local judicial experience into the district court system. Cone aims to utilize his background to serve the needs of the Bartlesville community.
Todd Cone has practiced law for 30 years and served as a municipal judge in Nowata for 18 years and Oologah for 8 years. He is currently campaigning for a nonpartisan district judge position to preside over felonies, civil cases, and specialized courts.
The players
Todd Cone
He is a municipal judge and attorney who has practiced law since 1992.
The details
Cone plans to manage a broad scope of legal matters, including probate, adoptions, guardianships, and drug and mental health courts. He stated that his extensive career in the legal field has prepared him for the responsibilities of the district judge role.
Timeline
Cone began his legal practice in 1992.
The candidate is actively campaigning for the seat in 2026.
Political Context
The district judge race follows the standard nonpartisan judicial election process, which aims to minimize the influence of party-line politics in the courtroom. Opposing views in such races typically emphasize the need for a strict separation between judicial rulings and political advocacy.
The election of a new district judge will determine who oversees key civil and criminal matters for local residents. Voters will ultimately decide how these judicial priorities impact the daily legal and regulatory environment in the community.
The takeaway
Voters should evaluate the candidate's track record in municipal courts to understand how he might approach the wider variety of cases handled by a district judge. Examining the candidate's stated goals for specialized courts, like mental health court, provides insight into future local judicial priorities.
Further reading
Learn more about the local legal landscape in the Bartlesville Law section.
More information
For additional details on the platform, visit Todd Cone campaign information.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KWON KYFM KRIG KPGM.
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In your opinion, should local judicial candidates prioritize professional experience over political party affiliation?
