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Johnathan Newman

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Johnathan Newman
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives for the 80th district
Assumed office
January 1, 2025
Preceded byJena Powell
Personal details
BornJuly 5, 1968
Political partyRepublican
Alma materUnion University (BA); Mid‑America Baptist Theological Seminary (MA)
ProfessionPastor

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

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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

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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

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Election

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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

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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

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Newman and his wife Jeni have three adult children.[8]

Electoral history

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2024 Ohio 80th district House of Representatives general election[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Johnathan Newman 48,115 74.9%
Democratic Melissa Van Dyke 16,157 25.1%
Turnout 64,272

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Johnathan Newman Biography". Ohio House of Representatives.
  2. ^ a b "Johnathan Newman". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
  3. ^ "Troy Pastor Moves into New Season of Ministry". Southern Baptist Convention of Ohio. March 19, 2025. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Election 2024: Newman, VanDyke vie for open Ohio House seat". Dayton Daily News. October 25, 2024. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Newman Sworn in to Serve Ohio's 80th House District". Ohio House of Representatives. January 8, 2025. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
  6. ^ Buchanan, Susan (June 11, 2025). "Anti-abortion lawmakers draft legislation to criminalize abortion in Ohio". Ohio Capital Journal.
  7. ^ Koza, Staff (October 25, 2024). "2 Dayton-area lawmakers aim to outlaw abortion in Ohio". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
  8. ^ "Johnathan Newman". Gongwer News Service-Ohio.
  9. ^ "2024 Ohio General Elections Results - State House District 80". USA Today. Retrieved June 18, 2025.
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