Johnathan Newman
Johnathan Newman | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Ohio House of Representatives for the 80th district | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Jena Powell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 5, 1968 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | Union University (BA); Mid‑America Baptist Theological Seminary (MA) |
| Profession | Pastor |
Johnathan Newman (born July 5, 1968) is an American Christian pastor and Republican Party politician serving as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives for the 80th district since January 2025.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Newman earned bachelor’s degrees in theology and sociology from Union University in Tennessee and a master’s degree in divinity from Mid‑America Baptist Theological Seminary.[2]
Religious and community leadership
[edit]Since the late 1990s, Newman has served as founding senior pastor of Koinos Church in Troy, Ohio.[1] He has also been a certified marriage and family counselor and received the 2017 Dietrich Bonhoeffer Award from the Center for Christian Virtue for his pro‑life advocacy.[1][3]
Political career
[edit]Election
[edit]In November 2024, Newman was elected to represent Ohio’s open House District 80, defeating Democrat Melissa VanDyke with 74.9% of the vote.[2][4] During the 2024 campaign, local media featured Newman’s pastoral background and community leadership in their coverage of the open-seat contest.[4]
He was sworn into office on January 8, 2025.[5]
Tenure
[edit]Newman serves as vice-chair of the House Agriculture Committee and is also a member of the Community Revitalization, Education, and Transportation committees.[1]
He participated in the passage of the state operating budget, supported the Agriculture Appreciation Act (HB 65), sponsored legislation on annexation procedures, and backed a resolution urging repeal of the Johnson Amendment.[5]
In June 2025, Newman co-sponsored the Ohio Prenatal Equal Protection Act, a proposed bill that would grant full legal personhood to fertilized embryos and criminalize abortion as homicide.[6] He criticized the 2023 Ohio reproductive rights initiative (Issue 1), stating, “I think the passage of Issue 1 ... was the worst mistake Ohio ever made,” and acknowledged the tension between constituent will and his views.[7]
Personal life
[edit]Newman and his wife Jeni have three adult children.[8]
Electoral history
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Johnathan Newman | 48,115 | 74.9% | |
| Democratic | Melissa Van Dyke | 16,157 | 25.1% | |
| Turnout | 64,272 | |||
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Johnathan Newman Biography". Ohio House of Representatives.
- ^ a b "Johnathan Newman". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
- ^ "Troy Pastor Moves into New Season of Ministry". Southern Baptist Convention of Ohio. March 19, 2025. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
- ^ a b "Election 2024: Newman, VanDyke vie for open Ohio House seat". Dayton Daily News. October 25, 2024. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
- ^ a b "Newman Sworn in to Serve Ohio's 80th House District". Ohio House of Representatives. January 8, 2025. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
- ^ Buchanan, Susan (June 11, 2025). "Anti-abortion lawmakers draft legislation to criminalize abortion in Ohio". Ohio Capital Journal.
- ^ Koza, Staff (October 25, 2024). "2 Dayton-area lawmakers aim to outlaw abortion in Ohio". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
- ^ "Johnathan Newman". Gongwer News Service-Ohio.
- ^ "2024 Ohio General Elections Results - State House District 80". USA Today. Retrieved June 18, 2025.