Denise Driehaus Explained

Denise Driehaus
Image Name:Denise Driehaus (30232661202) (cropped).jpg
Caption:Driehaus at a rally in 2016
Office:Hamilton County Commissioner
Term Start:January 3, 2017
Alongside:Alicia Reece and Stephanie Summerow Dumas
Preceded:Dennis Deters
State House1:Ohio
State1:Ohio
District1:31st
Term Start1:January 5, 2009
Term End1:December 31, 2016
Preceded1:Steve Driehaus
Succeeded1:Brigid Kelly
Birth Date:23 January 1963
Birth Place:Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Party:Democratic
Residence:Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Alma Mater:Miami University
Profession:Small business owner

Denise Driehaus (born January 23, 1963) is an American Democratic politician currently serving as a Hamilton County Commissioner.[1] She formerly served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 2009 to 2016.

Life and career

Driehaus was raised in Green Township by H. Donald "Don" Driehaus and his wife Clare along with her seven siblings. Her seat in the Ohio House of Representatives was previously represented by her brother Steve Driehaus.

After graduation from Miami University, Driehaus went on to own Philipps Swim Club and the Front Porch Coffeehouse in West Price Hill. She also formerly served on the Hamilton County Democratic Executive Committee, and was influential in electing Cincinnati politicians like Todd Portune, David Crowley, Dwight Tillery and John Cranley.

Driehaus and her family reside in Cincinnati.

Ohio House of Representatives

With her term-limited brother, Representative Steve Driehaus, running for Congress, Driehaus sought to succeed him in 2008. With no primary opposition, she faced Republican Steve Johnson in the general election, and won with 67% of the vote.[2]

In her 2010 reelection bid, Driehaus' seat was looked at as a potential pick-up by Republicans. Once again unopposed in the primary, she went on to run against Republican Mike Robinson in the general election.[3] However, she managed to keep her seat, winning this time 56% to 44%.[4] [5]

Driehaus has become vocal in regards to a plan to scrap portions of the education reform of former Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, as well as the current education funding formulas of John Kasich.[6] In 2012, Driehaus won a third term with 71.10% of the vote over Republican Michael Gabbard. She won a fourth term in 2014 with 65% of the vote.

Committee assignments

Hamilton County Commissioner

In 2016, Driehaus was elected as Hamilton County Commissioner, replacing her opponent Dennis Deters. Her term in office began January 3, 2017.[7] Driehaus was re-elected to serve a second term as Hamilton County Commissioner in 2020.[8]

Electoral history

Year!
DemocratVotesPctRepublicanVotesPct
2008Denise Driehaus align="right" 25,60067%Steve Johnson align="right" 11,73533%
2010Denise Driehaus align="right" 12,98156.22%Mike Robinson align="right" 10,10743.78%
2012Denise Driehaus align="right" 35,98271.4%Michael Gabbard align="right" 14,51228.6%
2014Denise Driehaus align="right" 17,79865.6%Mary Yeager align="right" 8,42634.4%
Year!
DemocratVotesPctRepublicanVotesPct
2016Denise Driehaus align="right" 198,13250.61%Dennis Deters align="right" 193,39049.39%
2020Denise Driehaus align="right" 241,80658.14%Matthew Paul O'Neill align="right" 174,08841.86%

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Denise Driehaus officially wins Hamilton County Commission seat, Democrats to take control. Seitz. Amanda. November 22, 2016. WCPO-TV. December 17, 2016.
  2. Brunner, Jennifer 2008 general election results (2008-11-04)
  3. http://www.citybeat.com/cincinnati/article-21574-dems-cry-foul-in-dri.html Dems cry foul: Driehaus versus Robinson
  4. Brunner, Jennifer 2010 general election results (2010-11-02)
  5. http://glasscityjungle.com/2011/01/ohio-women%E2%80%99s-democratic-caucus-names-leadership-team/ Ohio Women’s Democratic Caucus Names Leadership Team
  6. News: Kasich budget could mean more local tax issues for rural and suburban schools, legislators complain . Cleveland Plain Dealer . Cleveland . 2015-02-10 . 2015-02-11 .
  7. Web site: Hamilton County Official Election Results . Hamilton County Board of Elections . November 22, 2016 . April 26, 2017.
  8. Web site: Hamilton County Official Election Results . Hamilton County Board of Elections . November 3, 2020 . February 22, 2021.