John C. Middleton is a life-long resident of Kenton County, having graduated from Beechwood Elementary and High School. He graduated from the University of Kentucky with High Distinction with a double major in history (with honors) and political science. He then graduated from Chase College of Law following in the footsteps of his father Clyde and brother David. He joked with his mother that she would be a Chase grad too, but she
politely declined.

He worked for the law firms of Ziegler & Schneider and Taft, Stettinius & Hollister before starting his own firm Middleton & Middleton. He served as an Assistant Kenton County Attorney from 2000 until his election as Kenton Circuit Clerk in 2006.

John C. Middleton is the son of Clyde Middleton and the late Mary Middleton. From an early age John was introduced to community service as both of his parents were active participants in community and political events. John’s father Clyde served 19 years in the Kentucky State Senate representing primarily Boone and Kenton Counties (1967-1986) and then as Kenton County Judge-Executive (1989-1998). Clyde was active in early childhood education as a legislator. As Judge-Executive he was instrumental in obtaining land and building a park for youth recreation on Mills Road. The park is now named Middleton Mills Road Park. Mary Middleton was a teacher by profession, but served as a community leader, being the 1st President of the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary, 1st President of the Booth Hospital Auxiliary and 1st President of the Kenton County Republican Women’s Club (www.kcrwc.org). She received numerous awards for her community service- including being named Woman of the Year by the Cincinnati Enquirer. She received the 1st Crystal Baton Award from the Kentucky Symphony (www.kyso.org) and the Two Headed Calf Award from Behringer Crawford Museum (www.bcmuseum.org) (posthumously). Both parents (Mary posthumously) received the Devou Cup Award from the Greater Cincinnati Foundation for their community work.

John has taken on community service, serving as President of the Board of Redwood Rehabilitation Center (www.redwoodnky.org) , an organization serving children and adults with disabilities. He has also served as NKY Board Chair of the NKY Heart Association. He has also served as President of the Covington Optimist Club and is on the Planned Giving Committee of St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

He currently lives in Erlanger with his wife Janet and two young men, Joseph and William.  John and Janet met in the Jaycees (Junior Chamber of Commerce) at a leadership training.  John proposed during new business of a Jaycee meeting.

John has been active in the Kentucky Association of Circuit Court Clerks, serving as District Representative, Secretary and 2nd Vice President and President. He has also served on a number of state-wide committees, including one involving rules for the new e-filing system. He often volunteers his office to serve as a pilot project for new programs being explored on a state-wide basis. He is a supporter of the Kentucky Circuit Court Clerk’s Trust for Life ( www.trustforlife.org ), which provides education about the life-saving mission of organ and tissue donation. His support earned him the Community Champion Award in 2015 from the Life Center (www.lifepassiton.org) in Cincinnati.

John has accomplished much as Circuit Clerk, leading the office of 55 full and part time employees through the transition of a new accounts receivable program and the implementation of e-filing, which will dramatically change how the office operates. While by law, the office operates without a budget (all funding comes through the Administrative Offices of the Courts-AOC), John has been active in trying to find ways to save the state money. His leadership philosophy follows that of his political hero Ronald Reagan who indicated that you should hire good people and get out of their way. His staff excels at providing exceptional customer service, something which he takes pride in. He is proud to have rolled out two websites (www.kentoncourtclerk.org for the courts and www.drivekenton.org for drivers license) to provide the public with the information they need.