MOUNT VERNON — Term-limited State Sen. Andrew Brenner and businessman Shawn Stevens are vying in the May primary to represent the Republican Party in Ohio House District 61.
The 61st District covers the eastern part of Knox County and the western part of Delaware County.
Brenner currently represents the 19th senate district.
Republican Beth Lear currently holds the 61st District House seat. She elected not to run for re-election in the House and is running for Brenner’s 19th senate seat.
Stevens, 51, describes himself as a conservative outsider who believes the interests of the 61st District take precedence over the state.
Brenner, 55, says workforce readiness and education are significant priorities and that his record of responsiveness and delivering on issues that matter speaks for itself.
Both call for increased government accountability, say property taxes are their first priority, and advocate for local control.
The candidates responded to a Knox Pages questionnaire about their candidacy. Below are their responses. The winner of the May 5 primary will face Democrat Vince McGrail in November’s General Election.
Shawn Stevens
Age: 51
Stevens earned a degree in economics from Miami University and an MBA from Ohio State. He began my career in banking and commercial lending. After 10 years as a banker, he began working in the title insurance business and now owns a title and escrow company in Westerville.
In addition to his executive experience, Stevens served on the Delaware County Board of Elections for 10 years, during which he served as president of the Ohio Association of Election Officials. He has worked to elect conservative local, statewide, and national GOP candidates since moving to Delaware County in 2005.
What inspired you to run for the office of state representative?
I have always had a passion for public service and an interest in the political issues of the day. I hope to one day retire to the farm where I raise cattle in Knox County. But first, I would be privileged to represent the people of this great district.
I can bring private sector common sense to the Ohio Statehouse, which is needed now more than ever if we are going to be serious about cutting taxes and shrinking government spending. The issues facing Ohioans require strong leaders who are untethered to special interests and bureaucrats.Â
What are the 3 most pressing issues facing the state right now?
Property tax relief is my top priority. Seniors on fixed incomes should not have to rent their paid-off house from the government. We should start with property tax relief for seniors, since they’ve been paying property taxes for 40 years already. Then we will focus on across-the-board cuts for all Ohioans.
Second, there are strong currents attempting to undermine the family and traditional conservative values. I support legislation that provides for common-sense protection of Ohio families, including strengthening parental rights, facilitating school choice, and guarding the integrity of women’s sports.
Third, spending is out of control on so many levels. We must re-evaluate every dollar spent in Ohio, just like small businesses do across the state every day. We must work to eliminate unnecessary spending and root out the fraud wherever we find it.
What specific policies do you propose to respond to those challenges?
I’ll answer in reverse order. We need to do a top-to-bottom audit of every dollar spent in Ohio, and make significant cuts across the board, in every department. We need to stretch every dollar, just like we in the private sector have been doing for the past decade as we have seen our expenses skyrocket.
Regarding traditional values, I promise to stand up to woke nonsense, stand up to attacks on marriage and the Church, and stand up for the 2nd Amendment.
Lastly, with regard to property taxes, I propose we immediately use the Homestead Exemption as a tool to eliminate property taxes for Ohioans over the age of 65.
How will you balance the needs of your district vs the needs of the state as a whole?
While the needs of the state are important, the needs of the constituents I would serve will always come first. There is no ‘balancing’ when it comes to helping Knox and Delaware counties thrive. Where our interests align with the those of the state as a whole, great! Where they diverge, I will always choose our district.
How will you balance short-term needs with long-term planning?
We should always be planning 10 years from now, while also taking care of current needs. Both can be done and ought to be done. Reducing property taxes means that greater foresight is needed for the future so that we can be ready for every possible outcome.
What is your solution to replace lost income by reducing current property taxes?
We need to remember that the state has no income of its own. The revenues the state collects are the people’s money, and if Ohioans choose to eliminate property taxes, then we must be ready to manage the state successfully. We cannot get rid of property taxes without massive restructuring of the state’s revenues.
I would start with making significant cuts in the state’s budget. If we successfully shrink the size and scope of government, then we obviously wouldn’t need to replace as much revenue. However much of a shortfall still exists afterwards, we will need to find alternative ways to raise funds. All options will be on the table.
In what area in state government do you see the most waste, and what specific initiative(s) do you propose to stop it?
There are many areas which are bloated, much from administrative overload. We need to DOGE Ohio. Period. Every dollar spent in Ohio needs to be audited to determine if the function is essential, and where we can cut or consolidate. This is why we need to elect representatives who are not tied to special interests. Every dollar in the budget has someone lobbying for it. We need a representative who is willing to say NO.
Why should voters trust you to represent them effectively?
I am a conservative outsider running for office because I believe that the residents of my district come first. Instead of looking out for special interests and giving tax breaks to billionaires, instead of voting to continually fund governmental programs without due diligence and oversight, instead of taking away the ability of local communities to make their own decisions… I believe that voters in my district deserve a representative who will stand up for their interests. I enjoy meeting constituents and hearing their concerns, and I want to be a strong voice for the hardworking voters of the 61st district.
Campaign website: Shawn Stevens for State Representative
Andrew O. Brenner
Age: 55
Brenner currently serves as a state senator representing Ohio’s 19th District. He previously served in the Ohio House and as a former Delaware County Recorder. He also served on a local zoning board and said he understands the need for local control, especially with major developments coming into the area.
Brenner holds a master’s degree in education from Liberty University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from The Ohio State University. He has focused his legislative work on improving education outcomes including school funding, government accountability, and lowering taxes. Â
Outside of public office, Brenner works as a Realtor and a licensed independent insurance agent, which he says gives him a practical, real-world understanding of how state policy impacts families, homeowners, and employers. Brenner and his wife, Sara Marie, a real estate broker, live in Brown Township in Delaware County.
What are the 3 most pressing issues facing the state right now?
First is property taxes and school funding. Ohio’s current system relies too heavily on local property taxes, which creates volatility and unfairness for homeowners, particularly seniors and those on fixed incomes.
Second is workforce readiness and education outcomes. We need to ensure students are graduating with the skills necessary to succeed, whether that is college, career training, or entering the workforce directly.
Third is government efficiency and cost control. Taxpayers expect us to be responsible stewards of their money, and that means focusing on results and eliminating waste.
What specific policies do you propose to respond to those challenges?
I’ve introduced Senate Bill 93 to fundamentally reform how we fund schools by creating a more transparent, predictable, and sustainable statewide system where funding follows the student.
I support strengthening early literacy and math instruction, expanding career and technical education, and better aligning K–12 education with workforce needs so students are prepared for real opportunities after graduation.
I also support improving government accountability by increasing transparency, requiring measurable outcomes for programs, and eliminating duplication across agencies.
How will you balance the needs of your district vs the needs of the state as a whole?
My district reflects a mix of growing suburban and rural communities, so the issues we face locally are often representative of broader statewide challenges. We must work to preserve our rural character and farms. I grew up on a small farm and served on a local zoning board and I understand the need to preserve rural character. I also understand the need to protect private property rights and there needs to be a proper balance.
How will you balance short-term needs with long-term planning?
In the short term, people are feeling real pressure from rising property taxes and cost of living, especially utility bills. I supported House Bill 15 which allows manufacturers and data centers to build their own power plants. This will help reduce the costs to consumers who shouldn’t subsidize data center electricity needs. But we also need to fix the underlying systems that caused higher property taxes. That is why I focus on structural reforms like SB 93, which moves us away from using property taxes to fund schools.
In addition to a single statewide 20-mill property tax for funding schools, you favor a 1.75 statewide sales tax? Is that in addition to Ohio’s current 5.75% sales tax?
My plan is designed to address the constitutional concerns raised in the DeRolph v. State decisions nearly 30 years ago. The Ohio Supreme Court made clear that heavy reliance on local property taxes creates an inequitable and unstable system. My proposal moves Ohio toward a more uniform, predictable, statewide funding model that better aligns with those rulings and moves us away from relying on property taxes.
My plan is tax neutral. It substantially lowers property taxes 30 to 40% while shifting it to a sales tax. I then propose capping overall sales taxes to keep Ohio competitive so that we do not hurt retailers.
The goal is fairer, more stable, and more transparent funding that reduces pressure on homeowners while ensuring schools are funded consistently across the state.
Does Ohio’s housing shortage play a role in higher property taxes? If so, what do you propose to alleviate the shortage?
The housing shortage is not why property taxes are higher. We must streamline government agencies and make them work more efficiently so we can lower taxes. I have worked to help reduce local housing costs. I introduced a bill that will allow local counties to use their existing conveyance fees locally for housing for seniors, disabled, and low-income housing grants for first time homebuyers.
What is your solution to replace lost income by reducing current property taxes?
That is a central component of SB 93.
My plan significantly reduces school district property taxes by replacing the current patchwork system with a single, uniform 20-mill statewide property tax for school funding. That change brings consistency and predictability, while taking pressure off homeowners who are currently seeing large swings in their tax bills.
To make up the difference, SB 93 includes a dedicated 1.75% sales tax as part of a broader restructuring. This creates a more stable and diversified funding base, with the sales tax capturing economic activity across a wider population, including visitors and non-residents—not just property owners. I also cap overall sales tax rates statewide to ensure this approach does not lead to unchecked increases and to keep Ohio competitive.
The result is a system that lowers and stabilizes the property tax burden at the local level, while maintaining strong, consistent funding for schools in a more transparent and sustainable way.
In what area in state government do you see the most waste, and what specific initiative do you propose to stop it?
One of the biggest areas of waste is duplication and fragmentation across programs and administrative structures, particularly in education and state agencies.
We can address this by consolidating services where it makes sense, improving data tracking and transparency, and requiring clear, measurable outcomes for any program receiving taxpayer funding.
If a program is not delivering results, it should be reformed or eliminated. Taxpayers deserve accountability and confidence that their money is being spent effectively.
How do you respond to those who say you are running for state representative merely to skirt term limits?
The Ohio Constitution was written to allow legislators to serve in both chambers, and that structure exists for a reason. It allows experienced lawmakers to continue serving and delivering results for the people they represent.
Ultimately, this decision isn’t made by me—it’s made by the voters. My record of effectiveness, responsiveness, and delivering on the issues that matter to my constituents speaks for itself. I’ve been accessible, engaged, and focused on results. My opponent was fired four years ago because he didn’t introduce one piece of legislation. Most recently he did not circulate a petition in Knox County to get onto the ballot.
Voters will have a clear choice on May, and I’m confident they will judge me based on my work ethic, experience, and what I’ve accomplished on their behalf.
Why should voters trust you to represent them effectively?
I have a proven track record of delivering results and standing firm on the issues that matter to the people I represent. I’ve consistently defended the Second Amendment, protected the unborn, voted to lower taxes, and stood against tax increases.
I’ve also been effective in getting legislation passed that directly benefits my district, including measures to strengthen election integrity, such as requiring citizenship verification for voters.
At the end of the day, this comes down to results and accountability. I’ve shown that I will do the work, be present, and fight for my constituents.
In contrast, my opponent four years ago was appointed by insiders, lost his primary, and during his time in office did not introduce a single bill. Voters deserve someone who is engaged, effective, and willing to lead—and that’s exactly what I’ve demonstrated.
Campaign website: Andrew O. Brenner for State Representative
