Ohio Statehouse, Connie Pillich

Connie grew up in a steel town on Lake Erie. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Oklahoma, her Master of Business Administration from the University of North Dakota, and her law degree from the University of Cincinnati. Connie and her husband, Paul, have two children.

Connie has previously worked as a public defender and owned her own private law firms. Connie previously served eight years in the United States Air Force, achieiving the rank of Captain. 

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Connie Pillich previously served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 28th district. She was first elected in 2008 and served three terms. Connie also ran for governor of Ohio in 2017, but did not win.

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As a public defender, provided legal counsel and representation to juveniles and criminal defendants who were unable to hire an attorney.

As a managing partner at The Pillich Group, oversaw finances and budgeting, shaped and enforced firm culture, helped attract new clients, managed and mentored legal associates, and guided growth in the firm’s areas of legal practice.

- As a public defender, provided legal counsel and representation to juveniles and criminal defendants who were unable to hire an attorney.
- As a managing partner at The Pillich Group, oversaw finances and budgeting, shaped and enforced firm culture, helped attract new clients, managed and mentored legal associates, and guided growth in the firm’s areas of legal practice.

Legal Experience

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Plans to address gun violence, domestic abuse, and the opioid crisis through collaboration with law enforcement and professionalizing the office.

As vice chair of the House Committee on Criminal Justice, supported a bill allowing DNA evidence to exonerate wrongly convicted individuals.

Believes in removing "illegal guns" from the streets.

Believes in removing illegal guns from the streets.

Supports protecting funding for children's services.

Wants to protect "funding for children's services."

- Plans to address gun violence, domestic abuse, and the opioid crisis through collaboration with law enforcement and professionalizing the office.
- As vice chair of the House Committee on Criminal Justice, supported a bill allowing DNA evidence to exonerate wrongly convicted individuals.
- Believes in removing illegal guns from the streets.
- Wants to protect "funding for children's services."

Criminal Justice

As a state representative, introduced whistleblower protections.

As a state representative, supported whistleblower protections.

- As a state representative, supported whistleblower protections.

Consumer Protection

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Connie Pillich

Melissa is originally from Cincinnati. She has a bachelor's degree and a law degree from the University of Cincinnati. Melissa has served on numerous boards, including Cincinnati Works, Operations Legal Help Ohio, Cincinnati Fire Foundation, and the Tri-State Veterans Community Alliance.

Melissa previously worked as a private litigation attorney and an assistant prosecuting attorney in Hamilton County’s Juvenile, Municipal, and Common Pleas Courts.

Melissa Powers currently serves as Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney. She was appointed in 2023. Melissa previously served as a judge on the Hamilton County Municipal Court from 2006 to 2016 and on the Hamilton County Juvenile Court from 2016 to 2022.

As an assistant prosecutor, oversaw civil and criminal prosecutions, presented pre-trial motions in court, prepared cases for trial, produced legal research, opinions, and documents, and conducted interviews with victims, witnesses, and law enforcement officials.

Specialized in criminal defense and civil litigation as a private practice lawyer, handling over 75,000 cases as a judge.

As a private attorney, researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in criminal defense and civil litigation.

As a municipal court judge, oversaw cases involving traffic offenses and local ordinance violations, conducted preliminary hearings in criminal cases, issued search and arrest warrants, and determined sentencing in certain minor criminal cases.

As a juvenile court judge, presided over over 77,000 cases of custody, dependency, and delinquency.

As a juvenile court judge, oversaw all cases involving individuals under 18 who are abused, neglected, or parentless, as well as the emancipation process, and sentencing for certain violent felonies committed by individuals ages 13 to 17.

As a county prosecutor, oversees civil and criminal prosecutions, works with law enforcement agencies to gather evidence and investigate criminal and civil violations, and provides legal counsel and representation to state, county, and city officials in lawsuits against the government.

- As an assistant prosecutor, oversaw civil and criminal prosecutions, presented pre-trial motions in court, prepared cases for trial, produced legal research, opinions, and documents, and conducted interviews with victims, witnesses, and law enforcement officials.
- As a private attorney, researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in criminal defense and civil litigation.
- As a municipal court judge, oversaw cases involving traffic offenses and local ordinance violations, conducted preliminary hearings in criminal cases, issued search and arrest warrants, and determined sentencing in certain minor criminal cases.
- As a juvenile court judge, oversaw all cases involving individuals under 18 who are abused, neglected, or parentless, as well as the emancipation process, and sentencing for certain violent felonies committed by individuals ages 13 to 17.
- As a county prosecutor, oversees civil and criminal prosecutions, works with law enforcement agencies to gather evidence and investigate criminal and civil violations, and provides legal counsel and representation to state, county, and city officials in lawsuits against the government.

Believes in strict sentencing for violent offenders, saying "life should mean life" and opposes early release.

Believes in strict sentencing for violent offenders, saying "life should mean life," and opposes early release.

Said, "Far too many activists and agenda-driven politicians have sought to undermine our way of life by seeking to excuse violent crime, and I will not stand for it. My office will have zero tolerance for repeat offenders and violent criminals."

Opposes judicial intervention on legislative matters, advocating for changes to be made through the state legislature.

Opposes judicial intervention on legislative matters, advocating for reforms to be made through the state legislature.

Believes in upholding "truth, justice and fairness" as a guiding philosophy in public service.

Supports offering those who commit less serious offenses a chance to become productive members of society through rehabilitation.

- Believes in strict sentencing for violent offenders, saying "life should mean life," and opposes early release.
- Said, "Far too many activists and agenda-driven politicians have sought to undermine our way of life by seeking to excuse violent crime, and I will not stand for it. My office will have zero tolerance for repeat offenders and violent criminals."
- Opposes judicial intervention on legislative matters, advocating for reforms to be made through the state legislature.
- Believes in upholding "truth, justice and fairness" as a guiding philosophy in public service.
- Supports offering those who commit less serious offenses a chance to become productive members of society through rehabilitation.

Supports consumer protection by establishing a dedicated team with a scam tip line and collaboration with banks, law enforcement, and social service agencies to combat fraud and scams.

As a prosecutor, established an elder justice unit with a scam tip line and collaborated with banks, law enforcement, and social service agencies to combat fraud targeting seniors.

Plans to enhance communication between the Hamilton County Prosecutors' Office and adult protective services by collaborating with banks and the white-collar unit.

Plans to enhance communication between the Hamilton County Prosecutors' Office and adult protective services by collaborating with banks.

- As a prosecutor, established an elder justice unit with a scam tip line and collaborated with banks, law enforcement, and social service agencies to combat fraud targeting seniors.
- Plans to enhance communication between the Hamilton County Prosecutors' Office and adult protective services by collaborating with banks.

Melissa Powers

- County Prosecutors are attorneys that handle criminal and civil legal action for the people in their county. The County Prosecutor can choose the cases they want to take.
- County Prosecutors can also represent the state if the state is being sued. 
- They also have the discretion of whether or not to bring charges against arrested people, whether or not to seek jail time, or whether or not to send individuals to pre-trial diversion programs. 
- The County Prosecutor advises cities, townships, boards, departments, and county officials on legal matters. 
- County Prosecutors are elected to terms of 4 years. There are no term limits for this office. 

Hamilton County Prosecutor

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