Wessels seeks Clermont County Commission seat in 2026

Joe Wessels, a Democrat, is running for Clermont County Commission in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. He faces Republican Claire Corcoran, according to BallotReady election data.

Wessels said on his campaign website that he wants to prioritize smart growth, government transparency and infrastructure that keeps pace with the county's development.

The policy positions below are drawn from Wessels' responses on his campaign website and through BallotReady. They reflect the candidate's own statements.

Candidate information

Party: Democratic
Education: Bachelor's degree in psychology, University of Cincinnati, 2010
Background: Wessels grew up in Colerain, Ohio, and is a father of three, according to his campaign website.

Experience and public service

Wessels was a news aide and freelance contributor at The Cincinnati Enquirer from 1998 to 2006 and a staff reporter at the Cincinnati Business Courier from 2004 to 2005, according to BallotReady. He was a contract reporter covering city hall and county government for The Cincinnati Post from 2006 to 2008. He served as a Cincinnati correspondent for Thomson Reuters from 2005 to 2014.

He was publisher of Loveland Local News from 2018 to 2023 and worked in content and public relations at the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library from 2022 to 2023, according to BallotReady. He has also held a media relations role at a large city school district, according to his campaign's X account. Wessels has been managing director at High Priority Partners LLC since 2017, according to BallotReady.

On the issues

Land use and development: Wessels said he would prioritize "smart growth: projects that strengthen the tax base and reduce cost pressure." He said he would stop what he called unfair tax abatements for developers, ensure infrastructure keeps up before projects are approved and protect communities, parks and farmland from overdevelopment.

Public safety and infrastructure: Wessels said he would work with local police, fire and EMS agencies to identify where stress is building as Clermont grows. He said he would make "fiscally responsible decisions to support safe and reliable service for families" and require developers to help pay for the infrastructure they use.

Government transparency: Wessels said he would "never approve secret deals that keep the public in the dark." He said he supports livestreaming commission meetings, publishing clear information on every major decision and opposing any project that requires a non-disclosure agreement or increases utility rates and the cost of living.

Education: Wessels said quality childhood education is vital. He said he would support teachers and provide resources for all students.