Jennifer Brunner

Candidate for: Ohio Secretary of State
Election Date: November 7, 2006

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The Candidate

Jennifer Brunner, 49, is running for Secretary of State of Ohio. She has over two decades of legal experience, including 13 years in private practice, representing candidates, legislative caucuses, labor unions, businesses and other organizations in complying with election laws, and in accessing Ohio's election system. Brunner has not only represented candidates before the Ohio Elections Commission and local election boards, but she has also prosecuted election fraud. Earlier in her career, Brunner served as legal counsel for then-Secretary of State Sherrod Brown, where she was responsible for communications with 88 county boards of elections and worked with the Ohio Legislature on legislation affecting elections. Brunner is also a former member of the Franklin County Board of Elections. She was twice elected Judge in the Franklin County Common Pleas Court, a position she held until 2005 when she resigned to dedicate herself fully to her campaign for Secretary of State.

Throughout her public service career, Jennifer Brunner has sought justice and to make her community safer. After she found bidding processes of the Ohio School Facilities Commission inadequate, the Commission's director resigned and the Governor ordered the Commission to ratify hundreds of contracts to comply with state law. Brunner revolutionized Ohio courts when she allowed jurors to ask questions during trials. She also designed a drug court program that offers non-violent offenders a chance to become sober and turn their lives around. The program has served as a model throughout the country.

A native of Clark County, Jennifer Brunner has been married to Rick Brunner for 28 years, and lives with her family in Columbus. In addition to raising their three children, the Brunners have been foster parents to three other children. Jennifer Brunner and her husband were co-presidents of the Bishop Watterson High School Band Boosters when their daughters played in the band. Jennifer Brunner also coached the Our Lady of Peace girl's sixth grade volleyball team when one of their children played on the squad. In 2002 she was honored with the "Extra Mile" award from the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill for serving people suffering from mental illness. Brunner received her undergraduate degree at Miami University in Oxford and her law degree from Capital University in Columbus.

The Issues

Among the biggest issues facing Ohio voters this election cycle are corruption and ethics. With the Coingate scandal pulling incumbent Governor Bob Taft's approval ratings into the teens, and a general backlash against Secretary of State (and Republican candidate for Governor) Kenneth Blackwell's indiscretions and blatant partisanship in the 2004 election, both parties recognize that "change" will be the word for 2006. However, Democrats like Jennifer Brunner have been protesting the wrongdoing of the state's Republican leaders for some time. Offering a credible and attractive alternative, Brunner has focused on voting rights, supporting new businesses and jobs, and identity theft issues.

Voting Rights: After the recent election debacle in 2004, many Ohioans are concerned with the potential for vote fraud. To restore trust in the now broken-election system and uphold Ohioans' constitutional rights, Brunner is committed to administering elections openly and honestly through a process that can be audited and verified. She would guarantee an equal distribution of voting machines throughout the state, enforce laws against voter intimidation and fraud, and improve voter education efforts. Most importantly, unlike her predecessor, as Secretary of State, Brunner would not use her public role to campaign for issues or candidates.

New Businesses and Jobs: Jennifer Brunner understands the role of government vis-à-vis business and has offered a "Blueprint for Business," which includes a plan to support small business growth, expand international business services, and cut the costs of interactions between the Secretary of State's Office and businesses to save businesses and taxpayers' money. Brunner has also proposed the creation of a repository of information, which would measure and track Ohio wage earning trends and family well-being, all of which would help employers as they look to add jobs to Ohio.

Identity Theft: Brunner's opponent, Greg Hartmann, argues that his experience as a prosecutor qualifies him to deal with matters related to identity theft. Yet Hartmann's record on identify theft proves no better than Secretary Blackwell's, whose web site made Social Security numbers public from secured loan documents. On Hartmann's watch, Hamilton County residents' Social Security numbers were made available on his County Clerk of Courts web site and the information was used by identity thieves to swindle thousands of dollars from victims. In comparison, Jennifer Brunner has offered a five-point plan to protect Ohioans' private information aimed at raising public awareness, improved government coordination, better training of employees and prohibiting outsourcing of confidential information to private contractors.

Greg Hartmann is the current Clerk of Courts for Hamilton County and a former Assistant Prosecutor in Hamilton County. Republicans hope that Hartmann is a rising star who can usher in a new generation of state party leaders not tied to the current scandal-ridden Republican leadership in Columbus. With Kenneth Blackwell so far down in his bid to win the Governorship, Ohio Republicans might shift their focus and funds to this race in the hopes of scoring a long-term victory for the party.

Brunner has successfully articulated the need for a Secretary of State who puts voters' interests above her political party. With the current Republican administration's scandals and indiscretions fresh on the minds of Ohioans, in addition to Kenneth Blackwell's transparent partisanship as Secretary of State, voters are receptive to Brunner's message. Additionally, the top of the Democratic ticket in Ohio is strong this cycle, which could provide Brunner a significant boost.

Still, many Ohio voters have not made up their minds on this race. Brunner has been working hard to raise the funds necessary to get her message out to the voters, but her opponent's campaign is still better funded. A September 24th poll shows Brunner up slightly on Hartmann, 36 percent to 28 percent. But with more than 35 percent still undecided, it is still anybody's race. Brunner has raised a sizable amount of money and received helpful endorsements from groups like 21st Century Democrats and the Secretary of State Project, but she will need additional funds to help her adequately spread her message.

Why CNM Supports Jennifer Brunner

Voters throughout the country understand the political importance of Ohio after the state gave the Presidency to George W. Bush in 2000. Republicans currently hold all six statewide executive positions and both U.S. Senate seats. The GOP also dominates Ohio's Congressional delegation, boasting 12 of its 18 members. The complexion of the State Legislature does not look much better for Democrats, as the Republicans hold 59 of 99 House seats and 22 of 33 Senate seats. The last Democrat to win a statewide election in Ohio was John Glenn in his 1992 U.S. Senate re-election bid. However, 2006 will be a year for change with Ohio Democrats offering a positive agenda focused on independent leadership meeting the needs of its citizens. Strong Democratic candidates, Sherrod Brown and Ted Strickland, are leading in their races for US Senate and Governor, respectively. Importantly, 2010 will be an apportionment year for Ohio. The Governor, the Secretary of State and the State Auditor will each have seats on the state apportionment board. It is crucial that a Secretary of State with integrity like Jennifer Brunner be a part of that process.

Ohio deserves change, not more of the same troubled Republican establishment. It would be difficult to imagine a more qualified candidate for Secretary of State than Jennifer Brunner. CNM believes that Jennifer Brunner's proven leadership and expertise can ensure that Ohio's elections are managed fairly and efficiently.

Support Jennifer Brunner for Secretary of State of Ohio


CNM is proud to endorse Jennifer Brunner for Secretary of State of Ohio. We encourage you to give him your support.

Please contribute directly to Jennifer Brunner's Campaign by clicking here!


You can also send checks to:

Attn: Michael Fertik

Campaign for National Majority
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