Hamilton Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026

Pavan V. Parikh is the Democratic Hamilton County Clerk of Courts in Ohio, having been appointed in December 2021 and subsequently elected in 2022 and re-elected in 2024. His diverse professional background includes serving as Chief Legal Counsel for the Ohio Senate Minority Caucus, working in-house for a bank, and as a Judge Advocate in the U.S. Army Reserve. Parikh focuses on increasing access to justice, improving

Priorities: Increasing access to justice and legal services for all residents. · Improving transparency and public access to court information. · Modernizing the Clerk's office through technology and efficiency.

Alicia Reece is a Hamilton County Commissioner who has served over 20 years in public office. She made history as the first woman and African American to win city, state, and county races in Hamilton County, including roles as Cincinnati City Council member, Vice Mayor, and Ohio State Representative.

Priorities: Protecting voting rights and ensuring democracy health · Promoting economic health and job creation · Focusing on public health

Denise Driehaus is a Democratic politician currently serving as a Hamilton County Commissioner in Ohio, a role she was first elected to in 2016. A lifelong resident of Hamilton County, she previously served four terms in the Ohio House of Representatives for the 31st Ohio House District from 2009 to 2016.

Priorities: Economic opportunities and job creation · Addressing the opioid and heroin crisis · Supporting women and girls

Jeff Baker is a Republican candidate running for election to the U.S. House of Representatives to represent Georgia's 10th Congressional District in the 2026 election. A self-employed college-educated entrepreneur, Baker has pledged to support congressional term limits.

Priorities: Make power bills more affordable as well as what you pay at the pump. · Fight illegal immigration and crime · Federal property tax relief

Mary Hill is a Republican who has run for public office in Ohio. In 2024, she advanced from the Republican primary for Hamilton County Clerk of Courts but was defeated in the general election. She also ran for Ohio House of Representatives District 33 in 2020, winning the Republican primary before losing in the general election.

Leslie Ghiz served as a Judge of the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas General Division in Ohio from 2013 until March 2025, having been elected in 2012 and re-elected in 2018. Prior to her judicial career, she served three terms on the Cincinnati City Council from 2005 to 2011. Ghiz, who previously ran as a Republican, ran as an Independent in the 2024 judicial election.

Priorities: Ensuring safety and well-being of residents while maintaining fairness in criminal cases. · Efficient and just resolution of civil case dockets. · Serving the people of Hamilton County through public service and legal work.

Christopher Maher is a self-employed businessman and real estate investor who has lived in Port Richey for nine years. He is running for Port Richey Council Member in Florida in the April 8, 2025, general election. Maher has built and run multiple companies and serves as Region 1 Vice President for the National Independent Automotive Dealers Association.

Priorities: Build a business-friendly city that encourages quality growth and responsible development. · Support emergency service personnel and encourage the growth of charitable organizations within the city. · Clean up waterways, ensure regular canal maintenance, and modernize infrastructure.

Bernard Mundy is a criminal defense attorney with over 30 years of experience, holding a JD from the University of Cincinnati. He has a history of taking court-appointed cases for people who could not afford legal representation.

Cory Bowman is the founding Pastor of The River Church Cincinnati and co-owner of Kings Arms Coffee Cincinnati. A native of Ohio and a graduate of Miami University, he is running for Mayor of Cincinnati in the 2025 election.

Priorities: Responsible Money Management · Increased Safety · Improved Infrastructure

Dwane Mallory is an incumbent judge for District 1 of the Hamilton County Municipal Court in Ohio, who assumed office in 2008. He holds degrees from Mount Saint Joseph University and Salmon P. Chase College of Law, and his career includes extensive experience as an attorney in private practice and public defense, an Assistant State Auditor, an accountant, and a prosecutor.

Priorities: Ensure justice is accessible, transparent, and community-centered, treating all individuals with respect and dignity. · Expand legal resources and improve court efficiency to ensure fair access to justice for all. · Advocate for community-centered public safety, balancing accountability with rehabilitation and mental health support.

Danielle Colliver is a Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge who graduated with honors from the University of Cincinnati College of Law. She has over fifteen years of legal experience, having worked at the Ohio Justice & Policy Center and the Hamilton County Public Defender's Office before opening her own private practice.

Priorities: Equal access to justice and the legal system · Adherence to the US and Ohio Constitutions and the rule of law · Transparency and accountability

Josh Berkowitz is an incumbent Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge for District 4, serving since 2015 and currently as Administrative & Presiding Judge. He is a former felony prosecutor and Norwood Law Director, dedicated to public safety and upholding the law.

Priorities: I follow the law and uphold the constitution. · I hold dangerous criminals accountable and deliver justice for the victims of crime. · I have dedicated my career to making Hamilton County a safer place to live, work, and raise a family.

Athena E. Stefanou is a born-and-raised Cincinnatian with a law degree from the University of Cincinnati. She began her legal career as a public defender and currently serves as Chief of Court Operations, having led reforms to improve access to justice and expedite protection orders.

Priorities: Modernize Municipal Court for Efficiency and Cost Savings · Provide Respect and Fairness for All · Foster Greater Accessibility and Transparency in Our Justice System

Judge Betsy Sundermann was elected to Domestic Relations Court in November 2022. Prior to that, she served as a Hamilton County Probate Court magistrate for five years, on Cincinnati City Council for two years, and as an Assistant Hamilton County Prosecutor for thirteen years.

Priorities: public safety

Rodney J. Harris is a judge for District 2 of the Hamilton County Municipal Court in Ohio. He assumed office on January 5, 2026, and his current term is set to end on January 4, 2032.

Priorities: Bringing transparency to the court · Raising the standard for public defense · Ensuring proper representation for all, particularly underserved communities

Mike Peck is a Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge for District 6, who previously served 15 years as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney and 4 years as an elected Law Director. He is also noted for providing free legal advice to seniors.

Priorities: Upholding the Constitution and applying the law as written, without legislating from the bench. · Ensuring safe communities by being tough on crime and providing a voice for victims. · Maintaining fair courtrooms and protecting individual rights, including offering free legal advice to seniors.

Stefanie Hawk is a University of Cincinnati alumna and a Senior Designer/Project Director in a firm specializing in leisure entertainment design. She has served on Cheviot's City Council since 2021 and is currently President of Council, actively involved in numerous local community organizations.

Priorities: Prioritizing people over partisan politics and challenging the status quo for city betterment. · Advocating for workers' rights and access to affordable healthcare. · Being an ally to all marginalized and vulnerable groups in the community.

Judge Gwen Bender serves on the Hamilton County Municipal Court, appointed in February 2017. Prior to her appointment, she was a Chief Assistant Prosecutor for Hamilton County for 23 years, prosecuting thousands of cases at various levels.

Priorities: Keep our community safe · Promote community success through dedicated volunteering and engagement · Uphold the Constitution and ensure dignity for all parties in court