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.
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 GovernorTed 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.
Driehaus with co-commissioners Todd Portune and Chris Monzel in 2017
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
Ohio House 37th District: Results 2008 to 2014
Year
Democrat
Votes
Pct
Republican
Votes
Pct
2008
Denise Driehaus
25,600
67%
Steve Johnson
11,735
33%
2010
Denise Driehaus
12,981
56.22%
Mike Robinson
10,107
43.78%
2012
Denise Driehaus
35,982
71.4%
Michael Gabbard
14,512
28.6%
2014
Denise Driehaus
17,798
65.6%
Mary Yeager
8,426
34.4%
Hamiliton County Commissioner: Results 2016 to 2020
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