Jennifer Brunner

Jennifer Lee Brunner, born on February 5, 1957, is a distinguished American attorney, politician, and judge, currently serving as an associate justice of the Ohio Supreme Court. She ascended to this position after her tenure on the Ohio Tenth District Court of Appeals. In a significant move, Brunner declared her candidacy for Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court on June 8, 2021, aiming for election in the general election scheduled for November 8, 2022.

A member of the Democratic Party, Brunner made history as the first woman to serve as Ohio Secretary of State, a role she assumed after sixteen years of Republican leadership, which included the terms of J. Kenneth Blackwell, who oversaw the pivotal 2000 and 2004 U.S. elections. During her single term as Secretary of State, she focused on modernizing the office and enhancing voter access. In 2010, Brunner opted not to pursue re-election and instead launched an unsuccessful campaign for the U.S. Senate.

Before her role as Secretary of State, Brunner gained experience in the Ohio Secretary of State's Office and served as a County Judge in Franklin County, Ohio. She also operated her own private law practice, specializing in election law and campaign finance, where she represented a diverse clientele, including candidates, businesses, and political organizations, before the Ohio Elections Commission on quasi-criminal matters. Her extensive career reflects her commitment to public service and the legal profession.