Brad Wenstrup

Last updated

Monica Klein
​
(m. 2012)​
Brad Wenstrup
Brad Wenstrup official.jpg
Member of the U.S.HouseofRepresentatives
from Ohio's 2nd district
In office
January 3, 2013 –January 3, 2025
Children2
Education University of Cincinnati (BA)
Rosalind Franklin University (BS, DPM)
Website House website
Military service
Branch/service
Years of service1998–2022
Rank Colonel
Unit344th Combat Support Hospital
Battles/wars Iraq War
Awards
Wenstrup's voice
Wenstrup celebrating Ulysses S. Grant's 200th birthday
Recorded April 26, 2022

Brad Robert Wenstrup (born June 17, 1958) [1] is an American politician, U.S. Army Reserve officer, [2] and doctor of podiatric medicine, who served as the U.S. representative for Ohio's 2nd congressional district from 2013 to 2025. A Republican, he upset incumbent U.S. representative Jean Schmidt to win the 2012 Republican primary election. In November 2023, he announced he would not seek re-election in 2024.

Contents

Wenstrup is a colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve [3] and an Iraq War veteran. After the shooting of Congressman Steve Scalise on June 14, 2017, Wenstrup attended to Scalise until he was transported to MedStar Washington Hospital Center. [4] For his actions during the shooting, he was awarded the Soldier's Medal. [5]

Early life, education, and medical career

Wenstrup was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of Joan (née Carletti) and Frank John "Jack" Wenstrup. His father was of German, Irish, and English descent, and his mother was of Italian ancestry. He has a sister, Amy Castellini. [6]

In 1976, Wenstrup graduated from St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati. [7] In 1980, he graduated Omicron Delta Kappa and cum laude with a B.A. in psychology from the University of Cincinnati, where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He then attended the Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine of Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, where he earned a B.S. in biology and a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree, graduating in 1985.

Career

Wenstrup practiced podiatric medicine in Cincinnati for more than 24 years [8] before being elected to Congress.

Military service

Wenstrup joined the United States Army Reserve in 1998, attaining the rank of colonel in March 2017. [9] In 2005 and 2006, he served a tour in Iraq with the 344th Combat Support Hospital. [10] He called his deployment "the worst thing that ever happened to me and the best thing I ever got to do." [11] Wenstrup was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Combat Action Badge. [9]

During Wenstrup's tour of duty in Iraq, his sister asked what she could send him. He told her, "I wear the same clothes everyday, we're fed, and most days I'm not leaving the base. But the people here have nothing. They were under an oppressed regime and have had nothing for so long." His sister helped organize donations of toys, school supplies, and hygiene supplies donated by local companies, and Wenstrup worked with the base chaplain to distribute the donations to the locals. [12]

2009 Cincinnati mayoral election

Wenstrup ran for mayor of Cincinnati against incumbent Democrat Mark Mallory in 2009. Mallory defeated Wenstrup, 54% to 46%. [13]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2012

Wenstrup ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in the newly redrawn Ohio's 2nd congressional district, held by incumbent Republican U.S. congresswoman Jean Schmidt. He was endorsed by the Anderson Tea Party and the Ohio Liberty Council, a coalition of Ohio Tea Party groups. [14] In a surprise, he defeated Schmidt in the March Republican primary, 49% to 43%. [15] She carried six counties (all in the district's eastern part), while Wenstrup won the two most populous counties (both in the western part): Hamilton County and Clermont County. [16]

In the general election, Wenstrup defeated Democratic nominee William R. Smith, 59%–41%. [17] [18]

2014

Wenstrup was reelected, defeating Democratic nominee Marek Tyszkiewicz 66%–34%. [19]

2016

Wenstrup was reelected to a third term, defeating Democratic candidates William Smith and Janet Everhard 65%–32.82%–2.17%. [20]

2018

Wenstrup defeated Democratic candidate Jill Schiller, 58% to 41%, to win election to a fourth term.

2020

Wenstrup defeated Democratic candidate Jaime Castle, 61% to 39%, to win a fifth term. [21]

Tenure

In 2013 Wenstrup's office conducted a customer service survey. [22] According to Roll Call , very few congressional offices have conducted "genuine" surveys of constituents, instead surveying with "loaded" questions designed to achieve certain results. [23] According to the survey, 75% of respondents were "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with their experience with Wenstrup's office. [22]

In 2016 Wenstrup with Representative Mike Pompeo and Representative Ken Calvert led a joint task force which faulted the military intelligence of the United States Central Command in its overly positive assessment of units it was training to fight ISIL. [24]

Wenstrup receiving his Soldier's Medal Wenstrup.jpg
Wenstrup receiving his Soldier's Medal

Wenstrup was an original co-sponsor of H.R. 3949, the VA Prescription Data Accountability Act 2017, which became law during the 115th Congress, in 2017. The bill helps protect veterans receiving prescription medications and prevents misuse of such medications. [23]

On November 9, 2023, Wenstrup announced he would not run for re-election in 2024. [25] Through his work on the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, he intends to make a full report on the pandemic's origins and appropriate public health measures to diminish the impact of future pandemics prior to his departure. [26]

Texas v. Pennsylvania

In December 2020, Wenstrup was one of 126 Republican members of the House of Representatives to sign an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania , a lawsuit filed at the United States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden defeated [27] incumbent Donald Trump. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on the basis that Texas lacked standing under Article III of the Constitution to challenge the results of an election held by another state. [28] [29] [30]

Veterans

The PACT ACT which expanded VA benefits to veterans exposed to toxic chemicals during their military service, received a "nay" from Wenstrup. [31] Regarding cannabis, despite lobbying from VSOs such as the DAV, [32] Wenstrup also voted against the 2022 MORE Act. [33]


Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

Personal life

Wenstrup is Roman Catholic. [36] Wenstrup is married to Monica Wenstrup (Klein), who works as a financial consultant. [37] They have two children; [2] they adopted a daughter in 2019. [38]

Wenstrup's niece Anne Marie Gieske was one of the two American victims of the Seoul Halloween crowd crush. [39]

Electoral history

Ohio's 2nd congressional district (2012)
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Brad Wenstrup 194,296 58.6
Democratic William Smith137,07741.4
Total votes331,373 100.0
Republican hold
Ohio's 2nd congressional district (2014)
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Brad Wenstrup (incumbent) 132,658 66.0
Democratic Marek Tyszkiewicz68,45334.0
Total votes201,111 100.0
Republican hold
Ohio's 2nd congressional district (2016)
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Brad Wenstrup (incumbent) 221,193 65.0
Democratic William R. Smith111,69432.8
Independent Janet Everhard (write-in)7,3922.2
Total votes340,279 100.0
Republican hold
Ohio's 2nd congressional district (2018)
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Brad Wenstrup (incumbent) 166,714 57.6
Democratic Jill Schiller119,33341.2
Green Jim Condit Jr.3,6061.2
Independent David Baker (write-in)80.0
Total votes289,661 100.0
Republican hold
Ohio's 2nd congressional district (2020)
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Brad Wenstrup (incumbent) 230,430 61.1
Democratic Jaime Castle146,78138.9
Write-in 370.0
Total votes377,248 100.0
Republican hold
Ohio's 2nd congressional district (2022)
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Brad Wenstrup (incumbent) 192,117 74.5
Democratic Samantha Meadows65,74525.5
Total votes257,862 100.0
Republican hold

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References

  1. ↑ "Brad Wenstrup". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  2. 1 2 "Biography - U.S. Representative Brad Wenstrup". wenstrup.house.gov. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  3. ↑ Wentling, Nikki. "About Brad – U.S. Representative Brad Wenstrup". house.gov. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  4. ↑ Wentling, Nikki (June 14, 2017). "'Like I was back in Iraq': Congressman, combat doc tended to shot Scalise". Stars and Strips. Archived from the original on June 14, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  5. ↑ Shane, Leo (April 27, 2018). "Congressman awarded Soldier's Medal for heroism in last year's baseball team shooting". Army Times. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Ancestry of Brad Wenstrup". ancestry.com. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Brad Wenstrup" . Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Wenstrup for Congress". Usabrad.com. Archived from the original on April 15, 2012. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  9. 1 2 Wehrman, Jessica (March 4, 2017). "With House colleagues watching, U.S. Rep. Wenstrup receives military promotion". Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  10. ↑ "My Story | U.S. Representative Brad Wenstrup". wenstrup.house.gov. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  11. ↑ Neff, Blake (July 29, 2013). "Iraq War vet takes his fight to Capitol Hill". The Hill. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  12. ↑ Hughes, Amanda (May 2009). "Hero and Healer". University of Cincinnati - UC Magazine. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Cincinnati Mayor Race – Nov 03, 2009". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  14. ↑ "Wenstrup upsets Schmidt for 2nd Congressional District nomination". Wcpo.com. March 7, 2012. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  15. ↑ "2012 Ohio District 2 Primary". Politico. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  16. ↑ "OH District 2 – R Primary Race – Mar 06, 2012". Our Campaigns. Retrieved March 8, 2012.
  17. ↑ "Ohio Congressional District 2 election results". msnbc.com. Archived from the original on November 10, 2012. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  18. ↑ "2014 Elections Results". ohio.gov. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  19. ↑ "Ohio Election Results 2014: House Map by District, Live Midterm Voting Updates". POLITICO. November 15, 2014. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  20. ↑ "2016 Official Elections Results". www.sos.state.oh.us. Archived from the original on July 13, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  21. ↑ "Ohio Election Results: Second Congressional District". The New York Times. November 3, 2020. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  22. 1 2 "How to Conduct a Congressional Customer Service Survey - Commentary". Roll Call. February 3, 2015. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  23. 1 2 Ann, Kuster (November 21, 2017). "Cosponsors - H.R.1545 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): VA Prescription Data Accountability Act 2017". www.congress.gov. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  24. ↑ Bertuca, Tony (2016). "GOP task force says CENTCOM manipulated intelligence reports on ISIL". Inside the Pentagon. 32 (33): 3–4. ISSN   2164-814X.
  25. ↑ "The GOP congressman who leads the House's probe of COVID-19's origins says he won't seek reelection". AP News . Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  26. ↑ Jessica Wehrman. (9 November 2023). "Rep. Brad Wenstrup to retire". Roll Call website Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  27. ↑ Blood, Michael R.; Riccardi, Nicholas (December 5, 2020). "Biden officially secures enough electors to become president". AP News . Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  28. ↑ Liptak, Adam (December 11, 2020). "Supreme Court Rejects Texas Suit Seeking to Subvert Election". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Order in Pending Case" (PDF). Supreme Court of the United States. December 11, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  30. ↑ Diaz, Daniella. "Brief from 126 Republicans supporting Texas lawsuit in Supreme Court". CNN . Archived from the original on December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  31. ↑ https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202257
  32. ↑ "DAV Magazine July/August 2023 Page 5". www.qgdigitalpublishing.com.
  33. ↑ https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2022107
  34. ↑ "Wenstrup: The Biden Administration Tried to Hide CDC Director Walensky's Testimony from the American People". house.gov . Retrieved August 31, 2023.
  35. ↑ "Member List". Republican Study Committee. Archived from the original on January 1, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
  36. ↑ Y Jeff Diamant (January 3, 2023). "Faith on the Hill" (PDF). PEW Research Center. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  37. ↑ Shesgreen, Deirdre (July 3, 2012). "Wenstrup has to plan for nuptials and November campaign". Politics Extra. Cincinnati: Gannett Company. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved July 17, 2012.
  38. ↑ "That's So Cincinnati: How a dying AIDS patient helped shape Cincinnati Republican's view on serving others". Cincinnati.com. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  39. ↑ Wenstrup, Brad (October 31, 2022). "Rep. Wenstrup Statement on Death of Niece Anne Marie Gieske". United States House of Representatives. Archived from the original on October 31, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Ohio's 2nd congressional district
2013–2025		Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former US Representative Order of precedence of the United States
as Former US Representative		Succeeded byas Former US Representative
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