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Changing demographics bring blue wave to Hamilton County

114 views · Published 12 November 2018 · 2:30 · Indexed 2 October 2026

Channel: LOCAL 12 · 2018 · News & Politics

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CINCINNATI (WKRC) - The predicted "blue wave" either did or did not happen across America, depending on your perspective. But the blue wave did wash up on the banks of the Ohio River Tuesday.

In 1980, Hamilton County was one of the most Republican counties in the country, but now, the blue wave is here and it may even be a blue tsunami.

If the 1st Congressional District was Hamilton County only, Aftab Pureval would be heading to Congress. If the Ohio governor was picked by Hamilton County only, Richard Cordray would have won. Both Cordray and Pureval lost their larger races but carried Hamilton County, as did a lot of other Democrats.

Hamilton County was once solidly Republican but not anymore. Over the years, demographics have changed. For one, Hamilton County has more African-American residents, who are a traditional Democratic constituency. There are also more younger voters, who tend to be more progressive. And the growing political power of women helped a female African-American candidate, Stephanie Dumas, become county commissioner, giving the Democrats all three of those positions.

Democrats also took two Court of Appeals seats from Republicans and two seats on Common Pleas Court. This is not an overnight transformation. Republicans could see it coming.

"Hamilton County, the demographics have been changing for decades. I've been involved; this is my 33rd straight election cycle and I've watched it change, and I think this is just another election showing the demographics of this county are changing. It's proven by the registered voter rolls. I mean, there are more registered Democrats than Republicans in this county and it pans out on Election Day," said Chip Gerhardt.

Some Hamilton County Republicans did win, and the suburban counties Butler, Clermont and Warren are solidly red. Republicans also maintained their hold on most offices in northern Kentucky and southeast Indiana and picked up a U.S. Senate seat in Indiana.

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