Stephanie Kunze

Stephanie Kunze
Member of the Ohio Senate
from the 16th district
In office
January 3, 2017 – December 31, 2024
Preceded byJim Hughes
Succeeded byBeth Liston
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the 24th district
In office
January 3, 2013 – December 31, 2016
Preceded byTed Celeste
Succeeded byJim Hughes
Personal details
BornStephanie Moyer
PartyRepublican
SpouseMatt Kunze
Children2
EducationIndiana University, Bloomington (BA)

Stephanie Kunze is an American politician who served as a member of the Ohio Senate for the 16th district.[1] She formerly served in the Ohio House of Representatives for the 24th district. Prior to her election, she was a member of Hilliard City Council and a secretary at Norwich Elementary School.[2]

Career

In her 2009 race for Hilliard City Council, Kunze faced controversy over an apparent violation of Ohio law that prohibits classified public employees from participating in partisan primary elections.[3] She resigned her position with the school district after winning the Republican primary.

She was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 2012, defeating Democrat Maureen Reedy with 52% of the vote. Kunze's 2012 campaign was aided by school privatization and charter school advocacy group StudentsFirst, who sent mailers and distributed literature on her behalf.[4]

Kunze ran for re-election as a state representative in 2014, facing opposition from Democrat Kathy Hoff and Libertarian Mark M. Noble.[5] In 2016, Kunze opted to run for the Ohio Senate, winning with 58% of the vote.

Personal life

She is married with two children.[6]

Electoral history

Year Republican Votes Pct Democrat Votes Pct
Ohio House 24th District
2012 Stephanie Kunze 32,630 51.86% Maureen Reedy 30,197 48.00%
2014 Stephanie Kunze 22,866 57.23% Kathy Hoff 15,058 37.69%
Year Republican Votes Pct Democrat Votes Pct
Ohio Senate 16th District
2016 Stephanie Kunze 109,454 58.99% Cathy Johnson 76,077 41.01%
2020 Stephanie Kunze 106,053 50.03% Crystal Lett 105,937 49.97%

References

  1. ^ "Stephanie Kunze's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved 2021-07-30.
  2. ^ Budzak, Gary (22 February 2012). "Kunze, Reedy running unopposed in primary". ThisWeek Community News. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
  3. ^ "Kunze leaves position with Hilliard schools". ThisWeek Community News. Retrieved 2021-07-30.
  4. ^ Siegel, Jim. "Groups back Dems' Ohio House candidates". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2021-07-30.
  5. ^ "2014 Elections Results". Archived from the original on 2015-02-19.
  6. ^ "Stephanie Kunze - House District 24". Ohio House of Representatives. Retrieved 28 July 2013.