Meeka Owens seeks Hamilton County Commission seat

Cincinnati City Council member Meeka D. Owens is running as a Democrat for Hamilton County Commission in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election against Republican Jonathan Pearson.

Owens has said she wants to focus on building more housing, expanding eviction prevention and pursuing climate action at the county level, according to WVXU. She has not returned the Anderson-Mariemont Journal's candidate questionnaire.

Candidate information

Party: Democratic
Office sought: Hamilton County Commission
Hometown: Raised in the Avondale neighborhood of Cincinnati, according to Matriots Ohio
Education: Bachelor's degree in mass communications, Miami University (2003); master of education in human resources development, Xavier University
Campaign website: votemeekaowens.com

Experience and public service

Owens has served on Cincinnati City Council since 2021, according to BallotReady. She chairs the council's Climate, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee, according to the Climate Leadership Conference.

During her first term, Owens championed the passage of the 2023 Green Cincinnati Plan, according to the Climate Leadership Conference. She also worked in community engagement and sustainability at the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Office, according to the Climate Leadership Conference.

Before joining council, Owens spent years in the nonprofit and community development sectors, she said on her campaign website. She co-founded the Greater Cincinnati Voter Collaborative and has served on nonprofit boards, according to Matriots Ohio. She has owned Optimize Organizational Development, a consulting firm, since 2009, according to BallotReady.

On the issues

Owens has outlined several priorities for the commission seat. All positions below are the candidate's own statements.

Housing: Owens said she wants to build more housing as a Hamilton County commissioner, according to WVXU. On city council, she said she has worked to address rising housing costs and improve neighborhood investment, according to her campaign website.

Eviction prevention: Owens said she wants to expand Cincinnati's eviction prevention program throughout Hamilton County, according to WVXU.

Climate and environment: Owens said she wants to focus on climate action at the county level, according to WVXU. On council, she said she led efforts to expand clean energy programs, according to her campaign website.

Economic opportunity: Owens said she has championed economic opportunity for working families on city council, including affordable housing and environmental sustainability initiatives, according to her campaign website.