Cincinnati City Councilmember Seth Walsh is running for state treasurer. // Photo: Campaign photo, provided

Cincinnati City Council Member Seth Walsh announced his campaign for state treasurer Jan. 8, making him the first Democrat to enter the race.

“I’ll bring real transparency to how Ohio manages its money, because your family deserves to see where every dollar goes and why,” Walsh said in a press release. “I’ll protect public pensions while making smart investments and partnerships that strengthen our farmers, our neighborhoods and the long-term stability of our state.”

Walsh, 34, is still a relative political newcomer. He was appointed to Cincinnati City Council in December 2022 by then-Council Member Reggie Harris to serve out now-Congressman Greg Landsman’s council term. Walsh was first formally elected to council in 2023 when he secured the bottom spot out of the city’s nine at-large council seats, edging out Republican Liz Keating by less than one percentage point. He finished higher in the 2025 race, inching toward the middle of the pack in sixth place. 

Before joining council, Walsh was chief executive officer of the College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation, where he led $85 million in economic developments along Hamilton Avenue in College Hill. Prior to that, Walsh was the executive director for the Sedamsville Community Development Corporation and the assistant director for the CDC Association of Greater Cincinnati, which is now known as HomeBase. He holds a political science degree from Xavier University.

“Seth Walsh has been a fighter for working people and a staunch watchdog over public funds as a member of Cincinnati City Council, and he’ll bring that same resolve to Columbus as our next state treasurer,” said Ohio Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Clyde. “With Ohioans across the state struggling with the cost of living, Seth will ensure our tax dollars are invested wisely and that the treasurer’s office works for all Ohioans, not billionaires and special interests.”

Walsh is the only Democrat in the race so far. Three Republicans are currently looking to unseat Republican Robert Sprague: former state Rep. Jay Edwards, current state Sen. Kristina Daley Roegner and former state Sen. Niraj Antani. 

Ohio’s primary is set for May 5. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 3.

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