Brad Wenstrup
Brad Wenstrup
Brad Robert Wenstrup is an American politician, Army Reserve officer, and Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, who has been the U.S. Representative for Ohio's 2nd congressional district since 2013. A Republican, he defeated U.S. Representative Jean Schmidt in the 2012 Republican primary election and Democrat William R. Smith in the 2012 general election. Wenstrup is a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve and an Iraq war veteran...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionPolitician
Date of Birth17 June 1958
CountryUnited States of America
Washington politicians think that government can make better decisions than you and me. But we know better. We know it's smaller, less intrusive government that will lead to real economic prosperity. We know it's business-friendly policies, not more red tape, that will create real growth.
I am the first podiatrist to serve in the U.S. Congress.
When I grew up, and I think about City Council, I look at the men and women then - these were people who just wanted to be a part of the community and give something back. They weren't necessarily trying to use it as a steppingstone to something else. I looked up to those people.
Politicians - in both political parties - spend too much money. And they forget to focus on what matters most: fixing the economic mess they created and putting people back to work.
I think a lot of times there is a tendency in Washington to make rules because of something that was adverse or fraud or something like that. And we make a lot of rules and end up hurting a lot of innocent people that are trying to start up their companies.
In a leadership role in Iraq and in running my own business, what I've learned is if you don't listen, you're going to strike out. You're going to fail miserably. The people you work with have got to know you're engaged and you're listening.
My district goes a long ways across the southern part of Ohio, so just the opportunity to get to know so many people is a highlight itself, win or lose.
Every time I would give a talk, someone would say, 'You ought to go into politics.' I prefer to call it government leadership. My life has taken me to places where I have experiences that I think I can share. A lot of times, we see people who are career politicians. I'm not the conventional candidate, nor do I want to be.
If at war, understand what it takes to win: Set a goal, define victory and fully support the effort. Leave no doubt that you respect the troops and appreciate their service.
My service solidified my respect for our freedom, and the struggle to preserve it. I know the cost of obtaining freedom, keeping it and the value of it.
You can learn a little bit from everybody, so you should be able to work a bit with everybody.
I am the first podiatrist to serve in the U.S. Congress.
It seems to me that the Iraqis laid down a lot of the arms that we gave to them. So that doesn't seem to be the solution.