Bernadine Kent
| Bernadine Kennedy Kent | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 25th District | |
|
Assumed office January 3, 2017 |
|
| Preceded by | Kevin Boyce |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Columbus, Ohio |
| Alma mater | Central State University (B.S.) |
Bernadine Kennedy Kent is the state representative for the 25th District of the Ohio House of Representatives. She is a Democrat. The district consists of a portion of Columbus as well as portions of Blendon, Clinton, Mifflin and Sharon townships in Franklin County.
Kennedy Kent was born and raised in East Chicago, Indiana, the daughter of immigrants from the South who worked in the steel mills. She would later attend Central State University, settling in Ohio thereafter. Her husband, a Vietnam Green Beret, is the son of a Tuskegee Airman.
A lifelong educator, Kennedy Kent taught for years in the Columbus Public Schools system, being named Teacher of the Year in 1999. She ran unsuccessfully for the Columbus Board of Education twice. Despite this, Kennedy Kent was successful in her run for State Representative of the 25th district in 2016. She is known as a whistleblower and known as a community advocate on a variety of issues. She founded Parent Advocates for Students in School (P.A.S.S.) in 2003.
In 2016, Kennedy Kent opted to run for the Ohio House following news that incumbent Representative Kevin Boyce would instead run for Franklin County Commissioner. In a four-way Democratic primary, Kennedy Kent scored a surprisingly easy victory with a plurality of over 35% of the vote. Kennedy Kent received the endorsement of the Franklin County Party, the Columbus Education Association and other union groups. She was also endorsed by the Columbus Dispatch who referred to her as independent, smart and tenacious.
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