Hamilton County Auditor Brigid Kelly resigns over 'serious health issues'

Hamilton County Auditor Brigid Kelly resigned Wednesday to "focus on personal health" after two years of cancer treatment.

"My time in the office has also been challenging as I've grappled with serious health issues," Kelly wrote in a resignation letter delivered to the county board of commissioners on Wednesday. "Therefore, I am resigning from the office of county auditor."

Kelly's resignation was effective immediately at 9 a.m. Wednesday. She recommended the commissioners appoint Chief Deputy Auditor Amy Humphrey to fill the interim role of auditor.

"Resigning from the auditor's office is a difficult decision, but one that is necessary to focus on my personal health," Kelly wrote.

Kelly, 40, of Sycamore Township, was elected auditor in 2022 and took office March 13, 2023. She had served in the state legislature from 2016 to 2023 and had been active in local Democratic party activities.

Kelly in her own words: Read Brigid Kelly's letter to supporters about her resignation, health

An emotional meeting

The Hamilton County commissioners tearfully accepted Kelly's resignation on Thursday and appointed Humphrey as the interim auditor. Commissioners Denise Driehaus and Stephanie Summerow Dumas said Kelly had entered hospice care.

Driehaus gave an emotional speech praising Kelly for fighting cancer with "her typical rigor while continuing to serve as the county auditor."

"I've known Brigid for decades," Driehaus said. "Her entire adult life has been about fighting for what she believes, dignity for others, fairness and justice."

A stunned Commissioner Alicia Reece looked down at the dais in the commissioners' chambers and said it was "almost unbelievable."

Reece and Kelly both served in the Ohio House of Representatives. Reece said she knew something was wrong over the weekend when she called Kelly and didn't get a response. Kelly usually responded quickly, Reece said.

Reece said her thoughts were with Kelly's family, especially her nieces with whom Kelly was very close.

"When cancer comes in and hits someone in the family, it’s a rough road," Reece said. "For her to be so young ...."

The auditor's staff was on hand at Thursday's meeting. Humphrey told The Enquirer the staff was given notice Wednesday she was going into hospice. They knew since Kelly took office she was battling cancer. Kelly kept a positive outlook throughout, Humphrey said.

"She is a fighter and she doesn't complain, so you wouldn't know until recently," Humphrey said. "I'd say 'how are you doing?' 'It's been a rough day, you know.' That's probably the most you'd get out of her."

Kelly backs Jessica Miranda for her auditor

The Hamilton County Democratic Party, according to state law, will appoint an auditor to serve until the end of the year. The Hamilton County Democratic central committee will meet in April to make the appointment, Driehaus told The Enquirer.

Whoever is appointed will have to run for reelection in November.

Kelly is asking people to support the appointment of State Rep. Jessica Miranda, D-Forest Park to replace her, touting Miranda's experience in the General Assembly, as a school board member, and as a small business owner.

"Rep. Miranda has a deep understanding of school funding, which is the largest portion of tax distribution for most property owners in Hamilton County, and how the unconstitutional formula impacts property taxes," Kelly wrote in an email to supporters. " In all these roles, Rep. Miranda knows that the government and elected officials work for the taxpayer. "

Miranda is running for reelection to her Hamilton County House seat. She faces Republican Jenn Giroux in November. She issued a statement offering praise and grief for Kelly, but did not directly address her political future.

As a lawmaker, Miranda has advocated for eliminating the statute of limitations for child sex abuse. It's personal for Miranda, a survivor of sexual abuse. She also worked on campaign finance reform after Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder was arrested on corruption charges. Miranda and Kelly also co-sponsored a bill to require safe storage of firearms, which ultimately didn't pass in Ohio's GOP-controlled Legislature.

Kelly tells of cancer diagnosis

Kelly told The Enquirer last October she was being treated for esophageal cancer, which she had no predisposition for. She was diagnosed with it in April 2022 while campaigning for auditor, she said.

Kelly told The Enquirer she had to advocate for herself to even get the cancer diagnosis, something she knows is common for women. She was having back pain, initially chalking it up to running too far or too much. But she knew it was more than that and pressed for answers until she got a proper diagnosis.

Kelly was born and raised in Norwood and attended Saint Ursula Academy. She went to Xavier University and then to the University of Cincinnati, where she earned a master's degree.

For more than a decade she organized for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union.

Kelly ran for state representative in 2016 and won, replacing Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus, who could not run again due to term limits. Driehaus instead ran for commissioner.

Kelly then replaced longtime Auditor Dusty Rhodes, who did not run again in 2022.

Kelly came to the auditor's job at the busiest possible time for the auditor's office − amid the county's six-year property assessment process. It's been unsettling for many homeowners subject to an increase in property taxes, but Kelly has been at the forefront working to answer questions from frustrated residents.

Jessie Balmert contributed

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Hamilton County Auditor Brigid Kelly resigns amid health concerns