Jessica Miranda Explained

Jessica E. Miranda
Term Start:April 13, 2024
Preceded:Brigid Kelly
Party:Democratic
Spouse:Jose Miranda
Children:3
Occupation:Small Business Owner[1]
Residence:Forest Park, Ohio, U.S.
Office:Hamilton County Auditor
State House1:Ohio
Preceded1:Jonathan Dever
Succeeded1:Jodi Whitted
District1:28th
Termstart1:January 1, 2019
Termend1:April 13, 2024
Appointer:Hamilton County Democratic Central Committee

Jessica E. Miranda is a businesswoman and American Democratic politician currently serving as the auditor of Hamilton County, Ohio. She formerly served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, representing the 28th district from 2019 until her resignation in 2024.

Early life and career

Miranda attended Talawanda High School near Oxford, Ohio. Miranda and her husband, Jose, are parents of three daughters.[2] Miranda was selected as one of the Cincinnati Business Courier's 40 Under 40 for 2022.[3]

Ohio House of Representatives

In the 2018 election, Miranda defeated incumbent Representative Jonathan Dever to win her seat in the Ohio House of Representatives, a rematch of her unsuccessful 2016 bid in the same district.[4] Despite Dever initially leading on election night, Miranda was declared the victor by a 56-vote margin after the bipartisan Hamilton County Board of Elections counted provisional ballots as part of a closely watched recount.[5] This was the closest margin of victory of any state legislative campaign in Ohio. She would be re-elected with 51.7% of the vote in 2020, and 52.4% of the vote in 2022. [6]

In her second term, Miranda was elected Minority Whip[7] for the Ohio House Democratic Caucus, a position she served in until early April 2024.[8] Miranda was a member of the Ohio Business First Caucus and the Ohio Gun Violence Prevention Caucus, which she co-founded with Ohio Senator Cecil Thomas.[9] Miranda resigned from her seat on April 13, 2024. [10] Shortly after her resignation, HB 161, which she co-sponsored, was signed into law[11] by Governor Mike DeWine, officially banning all forms of spousal rape in Ohio.

Committee Assignments

Source:[12]

Hamilton County Auditor

On March 21, 2024, County Auditor Brigid Kelly announced her resignation due to health complications associated with esophageal cancer. In her resignation, which took place less than a week before her death, Kelly recommended Miranda for the then-vacant position.[13] Miranda was officially appointed on April 13, 2024, and is required to run in a special election on the November ballot. [14]

Winton Woods Board of Education

Miranda was elected to the Winton Woods Board of Education in 2013 and served until 2018, during which time she was President, Vice-President, legislative liaison, and bond levy chairperson. She received a Community Spirit Award for her "years of service" and "significant contributions"[15] to the Winton Woods City School District.

Election history

Year!!
DemocratVotesPctRepublicanVotesPct
2022Jessica Miranda align="right" 25,89152.42%Chris Monzel23,50147.58%
2020Jessica Miranda align="right" 35,35351.7%Chris Monzel33,03948.3%
2018 Jessica Miranda align="right" 27,61149.9%Jonathan Dever27,55549.8%
2016Jessica Miranda align="right" 26,80842.6%Jonathan Dever36,09857.38%

Notes and References

  1. Web site: How Did Jessica Miranda Pull Off A 56-Vote Win in Ohio House District?. wvxu.com. 5 December 2018 . 2019-05-06.
  2. Web site: Jessica Campaign Website Biography . dead . 2024-07-29 . www.jessicaforohio.com.
  3. Web site: Ohio House rep Jessica Miranda knows hard truth about procrastination . 2024-07-29 . www.bizjournals.com.
  4. Web site: How Did Jessica Miranda Pull Off A 56-Vote Win in Ohio House District?. wvxu.com. 5 December 2018 . 2019-05-06.
  5. Web site: Hamilton County to begin tabulating nearly 18,000 uncounted votes; two races at stake. www.bizjournals.com. 2019-02-06.
  6. Web site: Jessica Miranda . 2024-04-13 . Ballotpedia . en.
  7. Web site: Ohio House Jessica E. Miranda News. 2022-07-25.
  8. Web site: 2024-04-11 . Jessica Miranda likely to be appointed Hamilton County auditor Saturday . 2024-04-12 . WVXU . en.
  9. Web site: Ohio House Jessica E. Miranda News.
  10. News: Wetterich . Chris . Hamilton County Democrats appoint auditor following Brigid Kelly's death . April 13, 2024 . Cincinnati Business Courier.
  11. Web site: Trau . Morgan . 2024-05-13 . Ohio Gov. DeWine signs bill banning spousal rape into law • Ohio Capital Journal . 2024-07-29 . Ohio Capital Journal . en-US.
  12. Web site: Committees. 2022-07-25.
  13. Web site: Ohio politician Brigid Kelly died of cancer less than a week after resigning from office . 2024-04-13 . USA TODAY . en-US.
  14. Web site: Democrats honor late Brigid Kelly's wish, pick Jessica Miranda as county auditor . 2024-04-13 . The Enquirer . en-US.
  15. Web site: Winton Woods Board of Education Meeting Minutes 12/17/2018. 2019-05-14.