Early life, family, and education
Deters is a lifelong Cincinnatian. He is one of eight children born to Nancy and Donald Deters. His grandfather, Daniel Tehan, was a longtime Hamilton County Sheriff. Deters graduated from St. Xavier High School in 1975. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1979, and his Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1982.Career
Deters began his career in public service in 1982 as an Assistant Hamilton County Prosecutor. In 1988, after six years as an Assistant Prosecutor, Deters was elected the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts. In 1992, Deters returned to the Hamilton County Prosecutor's office when he was appointed and later elected Prosecuting Attorney. He was subsequently reelected in 1996. In 1999, Deters was sworn in as Ohio's 44thPolitical Positions
Throughout his tenure, Deters has gained a reputation for being a “tough on crime” prosecutor, believing in strict punishments for violent crime, including the death penalty. He has maintained this stance, even after a Vatican official rebuked Deters, a Roman Catholic, for pursuing the death penalty for serial killer Anthony Kirkland, who killed two adult women and two young girls between 2006 and 2009. Responding to the official, Deters said: He has repeated that he was elected to uphold Ohio law, which includes the death penalty. To critics, he states, “If the citizens of Ohio want the law changed, they should contact their state representative and let him or her know. I have no quarrel with that.” In July 2018, Deters said he wants the state to bring backAffiliations
Deters is a member of the Cincinnati Bar Association, National District Attorneys Association, and Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association. He has served on the University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees, Ohio Organized Crime Commission, and the Southern Ohio Leukemia Foundation.Personal life
He has four children and one grandchild. He is currently married since (October 2021) to Tanya O'Rourke (WCPO-9).Electoral history
1988 - Clerk of Courts Election
In 1988, Deters was appointed Hamilton County Clerk of Courts and sought election to the office that year. He campaigned on the platform to revitalize and modernize the office, which he had previously described as operating in “the dark ages.” Upon winning election, he first adopted a zero tolerance policy concerning theft in the office, aggressively pursuing employees who embezzled funds. Furthermore, he ceased the practice of political payroll deductions, which, at the time, had been prevalent within many county offices across Ohio. As Clerk, he administered a yearly budget of more than 10 million dollars.1992 - Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney Election
Likewise, in 1992, Deters was appointed Hamilton County Prosecutor and sought election to the office later that year. As a candidate, he led the ticket for administrative offices, promising to implement policies and innovations that would elevate the office to a higher level, including a Victims Assistance Program, an Environmental Prosecution Unit, and a County Public Corruption Unit. He defeated Democrat Robert Gutwiller, winning 64.1 percent of the vote.1996 - Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney Election
In 1996, Deters ran for re-election unopposed, capturing over 250 thousand votes.1998 - Ohio State Treasurer Election
With endorsements from the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police and Ohio Certified Public Accountants, Deters sought to capture the position of State Treasurer, promising to ensure the safety of public monies and diversify the state’s debt portfolio. He defeated Democrat John Donofrio, earning 70 percent of the vote.2002 - Ohio State Treasurer Election
In 2002, Deters battled Democrat Mary O. Boyle, a former State Legislator, for re-election to the Treasurer seat. If re-elected, Deters sought to continue the process of digitizing the office, receiving and distributing money electronically. A close race, Deters won the reelection after capturing roughly 53 percent of the vote.2004 - Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney Election
Deters entered the 2004 Prosecutor race after then-Hamilton County Prosecutor Michael Allen withdrew amid allegations of sexual harassment. Given that this was also a Presidential Election year, Deters felt it was crucial to enter so that Republicans could retain viability and legitimacy within the region. A write-in candidate, he faced Democrat Fanon Rucker, who previously served as an Assistant Prosecutor for the City of Cincinnati. Deters eventually won with 57 percent of the vote.2008 - Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney Election
In 2008, Deters ran for re-election unopposed, again capturing over 250 thousand votes.2012 - Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney Election
Facing Former City of Cincinnati Prosecuting Attorney Janaya Trotter, Deters campaigned on the promise to continue removing violent offenders from the streets and ensuring the safety of Hamilton County residents. Deters later defeated Trotter, garnering 59 percent of the vote.2016 - Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney Election
In his bid for a sixth term, Deters faced Alan Triggs, a former assistant prosecutor and Magistrate Judge. Deters campaigned on a similar platform, aggressively prosecuting violent criminals while seeking opportunities for diversion programs, where appropriate. He won by among the narrowest margins of his career in this race, winning roughly 54 percent of the vote.2020 - Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney Election
A re-match of the 2004 write-in campaign, Deters faced and eventually defeated Fanon Rucker in the 2020 Election. Calling it the “most satisfying” victory of his political career, Deters won after his campaign targeted voters who had become dissatisfied with then-Republican PresidentReferences
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