Brad Wenstrup

Brad R. Wenstrup is an American politician, physician, and military officer who served as the U.S. Representative for Ohio's 2nd congressional district from 2013 until January 3, 2025. A member of the Republican Party, Wenstrup gained prominence in the political arena after defeating incumbent Jean Schmidt in the 2012 Republican primary. He has a background in podiatric medicine and has served as a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, including a deployment to Iraq. Throughout his congressional career, Wenstrup has focused on various legislative issues and has been involved in several committees, reflecting his interests in healthcare, intelligence, and pandemic preparedness.

Early life and career

Brad R. Wenstrup was born on June 17, 1958, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is the son of Joan and Frank John "Jack" Wenstrup, with a family heritage that includes German, Irish, English, and Italian ancestry. He has one sister, Amy Castellini. Wenstrup completed his early education at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, graduating in 1976. He then attended the University of Cincinnati, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology in 1980, graduating cum laude and as a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa honor society. During his time at the university, he was also affiliated with the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

Following his undergraduate studies, Wenstrup pursued a career in medicine at the Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, part of Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. He graduated in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science in biology and a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree. For over 24 years, he practiced podiatric medicine in Cincinnati, establishing a reputation in the medical community before transitioning into politics.

In addition to his medical career, Wenstrup has a significant military background. He joined the United States Army Reserve in 1998 and rose to the rank of colonel by March 2017. His military service includes a deployment to Iraq in 2005 and 2006 with the 344th Combat Support Hospital, where he provided medical care during a critical period of conflict. His experiences in Iraq were formative, as he described the deployment as both challenging and rewarding. For his service, he received the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Action Badge, recognizing his contributions in a combat zone.

House tenure

Wenstrup's political career began in earnest when he ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012, seeking to represent Ohio's newly redrawn 2nd congressional district. He faced incumbent Republican Congresswoman Jean Schmidt in the primary election, where he secured an unexpected victory, receiving 49% of the votes compared to Schmidt's 43%. His campaign was bolstered by endorsements from local Tea Party groups, which played a significant role in his success. In the general election, Wenstrup defeated Democratic nominee William R. Smith with a margin of 59% to 41%, marking the beginning of his congressional tenure.

Wenstrup was re-elected multiple times, successfully defending his seat in subsequent elections. In 2014, he won against Democratic nominee Marek Tyszkiewicz with a significant margin of 66% to 34%. His 2016 re-election saw him defeating two Democratic candidates, William Smith and Janet Everhard, with a combined total of approximately 65% of the vote. In 2018, he faced Democratic candidate Jill Schiller and secured victory with 58% of the votes. In 2020, Wenstrup continued his electoral success, defeating Democratic candidate Jaime Castle with 61% of the vote.

Throughout his time in office, Wenstrup's office conducted a customer service survey to gauge constituent satisfaction, with a reported 75% of respondents expressing satisfaction with the services provided. His tenure included involvement in significant legislative efforts, such as co-sponsoring the VA Prescription Data Accountability Act in 2017, which aimed to protect veterans from prescription medication misuse.

In December 2020, Wenstrup was among 126 Republican House members who signed an amicus brief supporting Texas v. Pennsylvania, a Supreme Court case challenging the results of the 2020 presidential election. The court ultimately declined to hear the case.

On November 9, 2023, Wenstrup announced that he would not seek re-election in 2024, marking a transition in his political career. He intended to release a comprehensive report on the COVID-19 pandemic's origins and public health measures before his departure from Congress.

Legislative focus and committees

During his time in the House of Representatives, Wenstrup served on several key committees, reflecting his legislative interests and expertise. He was a member of the Committee on Ways and Means, where he participated in discussions related to taxation, trade, and social security. Within this committee, he was involved in the Subcommittee on Oversight and the Subcommittee on Worker and Family Support, focusing on issues that directly impact families and workers in the United States.

Additionally, Wenstrup was a member of the United States House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, where he contributed to matters related to national security and intelligence oversight. Within this committee, he served on the Subcommittee on Defense Intelligence and Warfighter Support, as well as the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Counterintelligence, and Counterproliferation, addressing critical issues related to defense and counterterrorism efforts.

Wenstrup also played an active role in the United States House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, where he worked on investigations and discussions surrounding the pandemic's impact and response. His efforts culminated in the publication of a report titled "AFTER ACTION REVIEW OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: The Lessons Learned and a Path Forward," which aimed to provide insights and recommendations based on the experiences of the pandemic.

Throughout his congressional career, Wenstrup was a member of the Republican Study Committee, a caucus that focuses on conservative policies and principles within the House. His legislative focus has included healthcare, national security, and pandemic preparedness, reflecting his background as a physician and military officer.