Commissioner’s Race: Corcoran Running to Champion ‘Appropriate Development’

Candidate name: Claire Corcoran

Party: Republican

Status: Incumbent

BATAVIA, OH -- One of the seats most likely to directly affect the residents of Clermont County the most is currently up for election. The Clermont Lantern sat down with incumbent Claire Corcoran, who will be facing challenger Joe Wessels ahead of the November third election.

Two-time county commissioner Claire Corcoran has been a familiar face to Clermont County for years.

Corcoran is a Cincinnati local, having gotten her master's degree in public administration at NKU in 1998. Corcoran said she believes in serving her community and curating a space for all citizens, present and future, by conserving Clermont County’s farmland and wilderness. 

She cherishes her family and community, often taking part in community events and listening to the people of Clermont County on a first-hand basis. This year, she is running against Joe Wessels, who currently works in communications with Cincinnati Public Schools.

Corcoran has served her community as various titles, including her time on the Goshen School Board (2008-2011) and her time as a Goshen Township Trustee (2012-2015). Now, she’s coming to the end of her second four-year term as one of Clermont County’s commissioners and said she is excited to continue to serve her county by continuing to think of and listen to the community of Clermont County.

Corcoran is currently a county commissioner – county commissioners are administrative, legislative and fiscal authorities. If you want to bring up concerns about zoning, development, or your small business, they handle all of it.

Corcoran talked to The Clermont Lantern ahead of the Nov. 3 election about her campaign and her love of Clermont County.

As a reminder, early voting is now open in Ohio and will remain open until Election Day. Click here for more information on where to vote near you.

The below responses have been edited only for length and clarity.

Q: Why are you running for re-election?

A: I believe I can continue giving to my county the way that I do now with my education and with my background, and I think I have a lot to offer. Not only to the citizens, but to our entire board with the county commissioners.

Q: What would your biggest priorities be as county commissioner?

A: Economic development – bringing new businesses to Clermont which will bring in more employment. Another is protecting our farmland and green spaces. Upgrading our county personnel so that the county government is more responsive to appropriate development. A big one for me is protecting our most vulnerable citizens, whether it be [developmentally disabled], seniors and our children.

Q: What do you love about Clermont County?

A: I moved back out to the country. I grew up on a farm. Even though I went to school in the city, I brought my children back out of the city. You can have horses. You want a dog, you can have a dog. [In the county] where things are a little bit more simpler, where I can have a bonfire on Friday night with my kids. [I love] that I have that opportunity out here and for our children in the future. I think we have great school systems.