Training and Experience
State Representative (2023 - Present); Middle and High School Social Studies Public School School Teacher (1994 - 2022); President of Parma City Council (2011 – 2022); Parma Ward 2 Councilman (2004-2011)
Volunteer/Community Service
Parma Run-Walk for Pierogies Founder and Director, Parma Peanut Butter Drive Founder and Director, Cleveland Honor Flight Washington, D.C. Veteran Chaperone, St. Charles Borromeo Parish Lector/Server, Red Cross Blood Donor, etc.
My life experience informs why I felt called to run to serve as state representative. Growing up the son of a single mother who struggled financially, I understand the challenges of making ends meet for so many Ohioans. In fact, one of my top priorities at the Statehouse is standing up to the powerful forces who want to profit from policies that are paid for by Ohio consumers. For instance, I have taken on multi-billion dollar utility companies who constantly come to the Statehouse supporting policies that will add “riders” to your electric & gas bills. I proudly stand up for consumers by shedding light on these hidden costs and advocating against them. Working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle, I have been able to get a lot done.
As an American Government teacher for many years, I have always been an advocate for civic engagement. Citizens should be able to play a meaningful role in their democracy. As such, voting should be accessible to all. For instance, I support voting by mail. In fact, I favor all Ohioans being mailed vote-by-mail applications. I also believe that voting by mail should be free - that no stamps should be necessary. I also believe that Ohio should have automatic voter registration whenever one has an interaction with a state agency, such as the BMV. I support the ability of Ohio residents to work together to place issues on the ballot. I typically oppose barriers to voting, especially those that are discriminatory against anyone.
As a very proud Ohioan and father of two, I work hard every day at the Statehouse with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to seek ways to help young people reach their potential, as well as how to attract and retain our young minds and others. If we want Ohio to grow and our kids and grandkids to stay here, we need to promote policies that make our state attractive to anyone who might want to remain or relocate here. Ohio is in competition with the rest of the country to attract business and industry and the jobs that come with them. The business community invests where there is a well-trained and diverse workforce, as such we need to invest heavily in education & workforce training as a state. I am working on bills that do all of this.
As a public schoolteacher for three decades, I know the importance a good education plays in one's success, as well as how an educated workforce boosts our local economy. That is why advocating for adequate funding of education is one of my top priorities. I always say that I will not be happy until our public schools are no longer dependent on property taxes for most of their funding. That is why I support fully funding the state “Fair School Funding Plan” and making it permanent. I also know that our youngsters are suffering from the scourges of social media, the pandemic, poverty, the rapid pace of our technological society, etc. I support ensuring that each student has the wrap-around services they need to achieve to their potential.
As a member of Parma City Council for nearly two decades, I know how devastating cuts to state funding for local communities and unfunded mandates means for our cities. The District 14 cities of Parma, Parma Heights, and Cleveland, which I proudly represent, have lost millions due to cuts from the state over the years. At the Statehouse I have advocated for getting funding levels back up to where they were, so that our communities can continue to provide robust staffing of our police, fire, service, senior, and recreation departments, as well as address their growing and increasingly expensive infrastructure needs. The mayors and city council members of the communities and I have excellent working relationships and communicate regularly.
Sadly, I lost my mother to breast cancer over a decade ago. Her non-union job as a bartender did not provide her with a healthcare plan. As a result, despite my urging, she rarely went for routine checkups. She was simply afraid of what it might cost her out of pocket. Well, by the time she finally worked up the courage to visit a doctor, her cancer had spread throughout her body. I was distraught that within days, she was gone. No one’s mom or sister or grandparent should ever be in this impossible situation. Healthcare is a human right, not something that only those who can afford it should have access to. I will continue to work with both Democrats and Republicans at the Statehouse for more robust access to affordable healthcare in Ohio.
As Cuyahoga County Environmentalist of the Year a few years ago, as well as an avid runner and biker in the Cleveland Metroparks, and hiker in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and our state parks, I am very concerned about our natural surroundings. I am especially alarmed about and have been vocal against hydraulic fracturing for oil & natural gas under our state parks. I am sponsor of House Bill 120, which would end the consumer bailout of two antiquated and dirty 1950s coal-powers electric plants – one of which is in Indiana. It is estimated that this part of the corrupt House Bill 6, which I did not support, will cost Ohioans close to $1 billion. Ohioans today and our future generations have a right to live and breathe in a clean state.
In my American Government classes my students read and studied the Declaration of Independence & the United States Constitution. Often students would ask questions like, “Mr. Brennan, if it says ‘All men are created equal in the Declaration of Independence’ and we have a Fourteenth Amendment that says that all Americans are entitled to ‘equal protection under the law,’ then why have so many groups had to fight for their rights in America?” The wisdom of a child, as they say. Our history also shows that government has played a very important role in ensuring that the rights we are all entitled to as citizens are protected. All branches of government should be very vigilant about furthering this goal. It is an honor to serve and do this work.
Training and Experience
Tool & Due Maker
Volunteer/Community Service
Brown Bag Homeless Outreach (Cleveland)
Ensure that State funding which is going to Municipalities for law enforcement actually gets spent in the law enforcement budget; and not get recycled into the general budget after it doesn't get used.
Let's ensure that only Ohio residents participate in our elections.
Performance based tax incentives would ensure that companies use tax breaks to become more competitive in their industries and not just squander tax tax breaks.
Attach reporting requirements to ensure that schools use state funding for math, science, history, reading, & writing programs.
State government should stay in their own lane and only get involved when municipalities are failing or refusing to uphold issues that are in their proper jurisdiction. When crimes are not even investigated at the municipal level citizens rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is imfringed
State officials should not be making healthcare decisions when a doctor and the patient are involved in the choices (ni government healthcare mandates).
The fresh water resources of Ohio should not be gathered up and shipped out of the country to benefit foreign interests.
Our Ohio & the US Constitution were designed to guard the liberty of as many citizens as possible regardless of race, cread, gender, etc.
