Jonathan Bradner

Jonathan Bradner earned a graduate degree from the United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in 2021. Bradner's career experience includes working as a pastor.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Jonathan Bradner is a reconciling pastor and local advocate running for State Representative in Ohio’s 29th District. His work centers on community care, bringing people together across differences, and standing alongside those too often overlooked or systematically pushed aside. He believes his faith calls him to serve others by meeting real needs, not by legislating personal beliefs or imposing religion on public life.

Raised in Northwest Ohio, Jonathan learned the value of hard work early, including working on a pig farm, and developed a deep respect for small-town communities. As a teenager, he earned a Presidential Volunteer Service Award, reflecting a lifelong commitment to service.

Before being called to ministry, Jonathan was once a college dropout, but his resilient spirit carried him forward. He built a career in the hospitality industry, starting as a part-time van driver and breakfast attendant. He quickly rose through the ranks, ending his hospitality career as a Director of Operations and Marketing and Sales. Along the way, he advocated for and won fair wages for his co-workers. This sense of obligation to fellow workers, no matter their role, continues to guide his support for labor and union organizing.

From a college dropout to becoming a respected pastor and community leader, he has built a life shaped by real-world experience and a deep understanding of people from all walks of life, which will carry through to elected leadership.

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?

Affordability is our number one priority because too many families are being stretched to the breaking point. We must end the property tax crisis so seniors and working families aren’t taxed out of their homes. We need to focus on truly affordable housing by capping corporate housing ownership, which drives up the cost of existing housing stock. We will advocate for cutting unnecessary red tape around affordable housing projects so that we can better attract developers. We will also work to cap the cost of prescription medications so no one has to choose between their health and their groceries. And it’s time to restore the conversation around a living wage, because if you work a fair day’s work, you deserve a fair day’s wage.Fully funded public education is essential to Ohio’s future. In 1997, our state Supreme Court ruled our school funding system unconstitutional, yet the legislature has failed to follow through on fair funding solutions. Today, Ohio ranks 45th in its share of funding public education, while outcomes sit at 35th. It’s time we stop blaming teachers who are doing the best they can within a broken system. Additionally, when the state fails to pay its fair share, local communities are forced to over rely on property taxes, driving up costs for families who are already burdened with tax levies year after year. Fixing school funding isn’t just the right thing to do, it is key to making Ohio more affordable.Restoring community is essential because our current approach to politics is not working. It is fueling division, isolation, and extremism instead of bringing people together to solve real problems. We must break the cycles the elite political class depends on to stay in power. Whether you are Democrat, Republican, or Independent, let’s do something different. Let’s vote for the person, not just the letter. In doing so, you will choose someone who won’t tax you out of your home or jeopardize the future of our children by defunding their education now. The only thing Ohioans have gotten in return for their party allegiance, trusting a single party supermajority, is defunded public education and a state that we can't afford to live in.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am most passionate about affordable housing, labor rights, and public education because they speak to the basic dignity of everyday people. Too many Ohioans are working harder than ever and still falling behind. We need housing that is truly affordable, not just on paper. We need to restore the conversation around a living wage and protect the rights of workers. We must fully fund public education so every child has a fair shot. I also care deeply about protecting our environment, and as a personal passion, animal welfare. These are not partisan issues. They are people issues, and it’s time we start treating them that way.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Hamilton County Democratic Party