Cincinnati City Council member Meeka D. Owens is running for Hamilton County Commission as a Democrat in the Nov. 3 general election. She faces Republican Jonathan Pearson.

Owens has served on council since 2021 and chairs its Climate, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee, according to the Climate Leadership Conference. She says she wants to bring a focus on housing, eviction prevention and climate action to the county level, according to WVXU.

Candidate information

  • Party: Democratic
  • Office sought: Hamilton County Commission
  • Election date: Nov. 3, 2026
  • Opponent: Jonathan Pearson (Republican)
  • Hometown: Raised in the Avondale neighborhood of Cincinnati
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in mass communications, Miami University (2003); master of education in human resources development, Xavier University
  • Business: Owner of Optimize- Organizational Development since 2009

Experience and public service

Owens has served on Cincinnati City Council since 2021 and chairs the Climate, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee. During her first term, she championed the passage of the 2023 Green Cincinnati Plan, according to the Climate Leadership Conference.

Before joining council, Owens worked in community engagement and sustainability at the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Office, according to the Climate Leadership Conference. She co-founded the Greater Cincinnati Voter Collaborative and has served on numerous nonprofit boards, according to Matriots Ohio.

Owens said on her campaign website that she spent years working in the nonprofit and community development sectors before her council service, advocating for families, strengthening neighborhoods and expanding economic opportunity.

On the issues

Housing and eviction prevention: Owens said she wants to build more housing as a Hamilton County commissioner and expand Cincinnati's eviction prevention program throughout the county, according to WVXU.

Affordable housing, environmental sustainability and economic opportunity: On Cincinnati City Council, Owens said she has worked to champion affordable housing, environmental sustainability and economic opportunity for working families, according to her campaign website. Those efforts include expanding clean energy programs, addressing rising housing costs and improving neighborhood investment.

Climate action: Owens said she wants to focus on climate action as a county commissioner, according to WVXU.

Endorsements

The following organizations have endorsed Owens, according to BallotReady:

  • AFL-CIO
  • Gun Sense Voter
  • Hamilton County Democratic Party

Owens did not respond to the Montgomery-Blue Ash Courier's candidate questionnaire. This profile is based on public records, her campaign website and published sources.