Jennifer Brunner served as a Judge of the Franklin County Common Pleas Court for more than four years. She was elected to an unexpired term in 2000, edging out a governor’s appointee, and was reelected to a 6-year term in 2002. Brunner resigned on September 1, 2005, in order to run for Ohio Secretary of State.

While serving on the bench, Brunner pioneered the practice of allowing jurors to ask questions and started the county’s first adult felony drug court. Her experience in public service also includes serving as a former Legislative Counsel and Deputy Director in the Office of Ohio Secretary of State for Sherrod Brown. As Deputy Director, she was responsible for communications with the 88 boards of elections and Ohio legislature on legislation affecting elections in Ohio.

Brunner has served as a member of the Franklin County Board of Elections and has practiced election law for 13 years in private practice, representing local, statewide and presidential candidates, legislative caucuses, labor unions, businesses, associations, citizen groups and other organizations.

The Brunner Plan for Ohio is to administer all elections in a fair, free, open and honest manner with a process that can be audited and verified. She will ensure equal distribution of voting machines and enforce laws against voter intimidation and fraud. She will honor the role of Secretary of State and not use the office or title to campaign for issues or candidates. She and her husband, Rick, have three adult children and live in Columbus.

Blog Entries by Jennifer Brunner

Time To Bring Home The Troops

6 Comments | Posted November 29, 2009 | 11:30 PM (EST)


I am Ohio Secretary of State and I am running for the U.S. Senate.

President Obama is scheduled to address the American people tomorrow about his plans for dealing with the war in Afghanistan, a war he -- and our nation -- inherited from former President George W. Bush....

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After Veterans Day the Real Work Begins

1 Comments | Posted November 19, 2009 | 08:47 AM (EST)


I am Ohio Secretary of State and I'm running for the U.S. Senate.

Last week Ohioans and people all across our great nation celebrated Veterans Day. As has become the norm and expected in American politics, professional politicians from Bangor to San Diego rightly heralded the bravery and sacrifice...

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Time for a Moratorium to Rethink Executions

3 Comments | Posted September 24, 2009 | 11:10 AM (EST)


I am running for the United States Senate because I believe that public service is for the purpose of helping our fellow citizens realize improvement in their lives. I believe that a government that treats its citizens with fairness, equality and respect, brings peace and justice to its citizens....

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The Politics of Empowerment

Posted August 12, 2009 | 12:34 PM (EST)


I am Ohio's Secretary of State and I am running to become a U.S. Senator. I am seeking this office at a time of particular challenge and opportunity for our nation. I believe that we are at a crossroads for our country and our political party organizations, compelled to...

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No More Delays: Pass a Health Care Plan With a Public Option

98 Comments | Posted July 22, 2009 | 12:55 PM (EST)


I'll be upfront with you. I'm a candidate for the U.S. Senate. Last weekend I spent a good deal of my Saturday reading and drafting position statements and reviewing plans and releases for my campaign. Our young neighbors, both of whom work for a large, hip retailer, had a housewarming...

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What's there to "Get" about Marriage Equality?

668 Comments | Posted June 10, 2009 | 07:20 AM (EST)


I just finished viewing the Human Rights Campaign's website on "Marriage and Relationship Recognition," and I have trouble getting past the fact that it has to be so complicated for people in same-sex couples. Questions such as "Can we file our taxes as married?" and "Should we register as...

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On Being Fearless...

Posted November 15, 2006 | 11:39 PM (EST)


My name is Jennifer Brunner, and this year I was the Democratic candidate for Ohio Secretary of State. On Election Day, by defeating my Republican opponent and two other candidates in 51 of Ohio's 88 counties, with an unofficial total vote of 1,994,276 or 54.78% of the votes cast for...

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