Brunner plans to remain active

By Marc Kovac

news@vindy.com

COLUMBUS

Outgoing Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner said Thursday she has no plans to make another run at public office, but she will remain active in state politics and policymaking — via a new public action committee.

Brunner said her Courage PAC will track state budget, foreclosure legislation and other issues and encourage citizens to write and call lawmakers and advocate on different issues.

“We’ll be following the state budget, we’ll looking at ways that we can still implement redistricting [reform] for congressional districts and also we’ll be looking at a lot of the financial and foreclosure issues,” she said. “Our e-mails are going to ask people to do things,” she said. “They’re going to ask people to call, to write letter to legislators, to write letters to the editor and to be heard. The beauty of this whole world where people can communicate online allows people to participate in ways they never could before.”

Brunner did not seek re-election to her seat, instead running unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate. Republican state Sen. Jon Husted will become the next Secretary of State in early January.

Brunner said she’ll resume a private law practice and do some consulting and teaching after leaving office.

Asked about potential election plans, Brunner said, “If I run for office, it’s because I want to get something done. And at this point in time, it’s too far off to be able to make any determinations.”