Jennifer Brunner is running for Senate in Ohio.

Jennifer Brunner (D) is running for Senate in Ohio.  She faces both a primary and a general election race.

Jennifer Brunner was elected as the first female Secretary of State of Ohio.  During her tenure she led the desperately needed reforms of Ohio’s election system to ensure a smooth election in 2008.   Based on her belief that more women should run for office, Brunner encourages young women to get involved in her campaign to gain political experience.   Brunner would be a fierce advocate for women’s rights in the Senate, and would fight to protect a woman’s right to choose.  We must work hard and contribute to elect pro-choice advocates like Brunner in the Senate and keep women’s rights in tact!

Background:

• Elected Secretary of State in 2006, and improved Ohio’s election system to ensure that the 2008 election went smoothly
• After graduating with Honors from Capital City Law School, Brunner worked in the Ohio Secretary of State’s office as an attorney and deputy director of the agency handling legislative matters;
• Founded the Brunner Law Firm, which focuses on issues ranging from election law to administrative law;
• Her work as Secretary of State earned her a Profile in Courage Award from the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

Brunner’s Position on Key Issues:

• Health care: Supports health care reform
• Reproductive Health: Supports a woman’s right to choose and make her own health care decisions, including access to birth control methods
• LGBT Rights: Supports marriage equality and believes that protections for equality for LGBT persons must exist regarding employment, housing and equal protection under the law.

Prospects: Jennifer Brunner has a tough primary challenge on May 4 against Lee Fisher, the current Lieutenant Governor.  She is running for an open seat, yet if she wins the Democratic nomination, she will still face a tough general election.  She is trailing in the polls and in fundraising behind Fisher, but Brunner is a fierce campaigner and took her campaign to the grassroots in an effort to gain the support of Ohioans.  Brunner has been traveling the state by bus, appealing especially to women to demonstrate that she will bring a unique perspective to the Senate when she is elected. Brunner is a proven strong and fearless leader for our rights.
 

Primary Opponents:

• Lee Fisher (D) – former Attorney General and Lieutenant Governor for Ohio.
• Peter Lawson Jones (D) – Board of Cuyahoga County Commissioners.

General Election Opponent:

• Rob Portman (R) –  former Congressman and served as the U.S. Trade Representative and as director of the Office of Management and Budget in the Bush Administration.

Other Endorsements: NOW, NWPC, WCF

Website:   http://www.jenniferbrunner.com/