Brenda Buchanan

Brenda Buchanan earned a high school diploma from Berea High School, a bachelor's degree from Kent State University in 1985, and a graduate degree from Cleveland State University in 2020. Her career experience includes working in broadcasting.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in a working class family in Berea, OH. I worked two jobs every summer to put myself through college and in 1985, I graduated with a BA from Kent State University and went to work in radio.

For nearly 40 years, I have worked as a Radio Traffic Director in the Cleveland market. A traffic director’s job is to maximize a station’s revenue by managing time and money by scheduling commercials on the air. Currently, I am the Traffic Supervisor for the Audacy New England region - managing five markets, 10 employees and 22 stations while working from home.

My husband and I are 30 year residents of Columbia Township where we raised our sons. I served two terms on the Columbia Local Schools Board of Education, from 2008 to 2015; four of those years as president and four years concurrently as the board’s representative on the Lorain County JVS board.

For the past two years, I have administered the Lorain County Rural Democrats’ social media - helping to put Democrats back in office at the state, local and national level, to pass Issue 1 and to protect the rights of all Ohioans.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I will always put people first. Everyone deserves the freedom to be who they are and to love who they love. Everyone deserves dignity in work - being able to work just one job with good wages and benefits.Everyone has the right to control their own bodies. In November of 2023, Ohio voted for an amendment to the constitution which guarantees women's reproductive health rights. Yet, our state government is trying to keep or put restrictions in place that will weaken or negate this amendment. I will fight to protect it.The governor has already reduced the state board of education to just teacher licensure and placed one person in charge of Ohio's public education. Last year, the state gave away 1 billion dollars in private school vouchers without any income limits. Not only did that take away much needed funds from the public schools, private schools are not held to the same accountability. I will work hard to prevent the destruction of our public schools.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The three I mentioned above plus:

- Common sense gun laws. I do not want to abolish the 2nd amendment. However, every right comes with great responsibility, and not everyone can or will be a responsible gun owner.

- I am totally against banning books or creating revisionist history in our schools. Public education doesn't teach children what to think, it teaches children HOW to think.

-Supporting our townships. There are 33 in my district and in 2011, the state cut the Local Government Fund in half and never restored it. The Fund pays for public safety, roads etc and the townships are struggling to get by.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity. Confidence. Adaptability. Empathy. Objectivity.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

-Listening to and communicating with constituents.

-Doing due diligence and research before passing/creating legislation that affects all of Ohio, not just your constituents

-Working to find common ground with reps you do not agree with in order to get the work done.

-Devotion to the people and not the party

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

At 14, I started working at Dairy Queen. I worked there until I was in my sophomore year in college.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

A cooperative relationship but with the clear understanding that both branches serve as a check and balance for the other.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

We need to end gerrymandering and have a legislature that is truly representative of our residents. Then we can address:

- Bringing and keeping good jobs in the state

-Truly affordable housing

-Equality for all

-Improving healthcare for all

-Taking care of our seniors

-Reforming and supporting our public education system

- Creating clean energy projects and protecting our environment so our farmers can thrive and provide.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes. Especially State House Reps. They have a 2 year term and that first year is just adapting to how the House works and how to work in it. Any experience in managing taxpayer money, policy creation, building relationships, communicating with and informing the pubic and the basics of government funding gives you a leg up.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Absolutely. Even if people disagree, the endgame is always the same - serving the people of Ohio. When there is infighting, extremism on either side and enmity, the work cannot get done, as we have see in the last few years. There has to be some common ground, common sense and compromise.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Sherrod Brown. Sherrod has always been a champion for the people of Ohio, willing to cross party lines to get the results they need. He does the right thing and supports the workers and unions; the people who keep this state going every day.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Maybe Ohio State Senate, but probably nothing bigger than that.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

UAW CAP Council

Planned Parenthood

The Ohio Federation of Teachers

The Matriots

AFSCME Ohio Council 8

AFSCME Retiree Chapter 1184

Rural Lorain County Democrats

What committees interest you?

Education, Agriculture, Energy and Natural Resources, Commerce and Labor.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

There should be absolute transparency and total accountability. That is what we practiced on when I was on the school board.