Hamilton County, County Commissioners

Ballotpedia, Denise Driehaus

Denise earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from Miami University in Ohio. She has two children and resides in the Cincinnati neighborhood of Fairview.


Denise previously owned and operated two small businesses. 

Denise Driehaus currently serves as commissioner and president of the Hamilton County Commission. She was first elected in 2016 and is serving her second term. Denise previously served four terms in the Ohio House of Representatives for the 31st District from 2009 to 2016.

Candidate website

Believes in investing tax dollars in projects that aim to create local jobs.

Supports investing tax dollars in projects that aim to create local jobs.

As a county commissioner, created the Office of Economic Inclusion to ensure that minority and women-owned businesses have access to county contracts.

As a county commissioner, implemented Community Benefits Agreements on county projects to prioritize local investment and employment.

As a county commissioner, founded the Commission on Women and Girls to advance equality and foster leadership development.

- Supports investing tax dollars in projects that aim to create local jobs.
- As a county commissioner, created the Office of Economic Inclusion to ensure that minority and women-owned businesses have access to county contracts.
- As a county commissioner, implemented Community Benefits Agreements on county projects to prioritize local investment and employment.
- As a county commissioner, founded the Commission on Women and Girls to advance equality and foster leadership development.

Economy

As a county commissioner, supported funding road and bridge projects such as the Western Hills Viaduct.

- Plans to invest in infrastructure.
- As a county commissioner, supported funding road and bridge projects such as the Western Hills Viaduct.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Believes in holding "big drug companies" accountable for their role in the "heroin crisis."

Believes in holding big drug companies accountable for their role in the heroin crisis.

Believes addressing the "heroin crisis" is crucial for public safety.

Advocates for increased access to treatment services.


Wants to secure additional resources for first responders to combat the heroin crisis effectively.

- Believes in holding big drug companies accountable for their role in the heroin crisis.
- Advocates for increased access to treatment services.

- Wants to secure additional resources for first responders to combat the heroin crisis effectively.

Public Safety

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Supports building more affordable housing in Hamilton County by creating a "comprehensive housing strategy."

- Supports building more affordable housing in Hamilton County by creating a "comprehensive housing strategy."

Housing & Urban Development

As a county commissioner, opposed sewer rate increases for four consecutive years.

- As a county commissioner, opposed sewer rate increases for four consecutive years.

Public Services

Supports creating mental health programs, especially for seniors and children.

- Supports creating mental health programs, especially for seniors and children.

Healthcare

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Denise Driehaus

Denise is a small business owner and managed two small businesses. 

Denise Driehaus currently serves as commissioner and president of the Hamilton County Commission in Ohio. She was first elected in 2016 and is now serving her second term. Denise previously served four terms in the Ohio House of Representatives for the 31st District.

Believes in finding solutions to long-standing issues, such as the "years-long stink over Muddy Creek," to improve county and municipal services and enhance quality of life.

Believes in fiscal accountability and ensuring tax dollars are invested in local job creation projects.

Believes in fiscal accountability to ensure tax dollars are invested in local job creation projects.

As a county commissioner, funded critical road and bridge projects, including the Western Hills Viaduct.

- Plans to invest in infrastructure.
- As a county commissioner, funded critical road and bridge projects, including the Western Hills Viaduct.

Supports utilizing available funds to help renters avoid eviction.

As of August 26, 2024, Denise Driehaus’s website did not contain information on this issue.

As a county commissioner, prevented sewer rate hikes for four consecutive years.

- As a county commissioner, prevented sewer rate hikes for four consecutive years.

As of September 4, 2024, Denise Driehaus’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Denise Driehaus is the President of the Hamilton County Commission.

- County commissioners are in charge of county renewal projects and maintaining the streets, roads, and public utilities. These projects try to improve the quality of life in the county, like increasing access to food or award grants to bring jobs. 
- County commissioners control budgeting and appropriations in the county. This means that county commissioners control what organizations and individuals receive the money from the county budget. 
- County commissioners have authority over government taxing and purchasing, and they hold the titles to all of the county property. 
- County commissioners in Ohio are typically elected to 4-year terms in staggered years. Depending on your county, you may vote for the seat in your County Commission District, or all of them at-large. 

Member of the governing body for the county, has authority over taxing, budgeting, county property, and public services like utilities. 