Jena Powell

Press Release: State Representative Jena Powell Runs for Reelection

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For Immediate Release

01-11-2022

State Representative Jena Powell Runs for Reelection

TROY – State Representative Jena Powell (R-Arcanum) announced she is filing petitions to run for reelection as Ohio State Representative for the 80th District.

The 80th District encompasses all of Miami County and southern Darke County. Representative Powell is currently in her second term after winning the seat in 2018 with over 75 percent of the vote.

“I am honored to serve the people of Southwest Ohio in the Statehouse, and look forward to making great strides for our region. I want to thank the people for trusting me as their representative and I look forward to continuing to serve,” Powell said.

While in the legislature, Representative Powell has been a conservative champion and has worked tirelessly to reduce government overreach.

Co-sponsoring the Heartbeat Bill in her first term, Rep. Powell is now the founder of Ohio’s Pro-Life Caucus and sponsoring the 2363 Act to end abortion in Ohio. She has co-sponsored Constitutional Carry, and worked to cut taxes and reduce burdensome regulations.

Representative Powell currently serves on the House committees for:

  • Agriculture and Conservation Committee

  • Economic and Workforce Development Committee, Vice Chair

  • Financial Institutions Committee

  • Ways and Means Committee

Representative Powell is a proud small business owner. In her first term in the legislature, she was named to Forbes’ prestigious 30 Under 30 list for Law & Policy. She resides in Arcanum.

Jena Powell

Church Leaders Letter

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Dear Church leaders,
I hope this letter finds you well. The last year has been
quite eventful. Many of you changed the way you serve,
preach, and worship. But the beauty remains that we still
worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in good times
and bad.

In a world where lies are being spoken as truth, and evil
abounds – it’s all the more important to remain steadfast
in our faith.

For many people, this last year has been trial after trial.
Shutdowns and closures, loss of job, depression, suicide
and drug overdoses skyrocketing. It can feel dark and
hopeless for so many.

But the beauty of the Church is that we have a steadfast
Hope in our Savior.

I urge you to keep the faith (Isaiah 41:10), be the light to
a watching world (Matthew 5:14-16), and do not become
weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9).

Thank you for your hard work. It doesn’t go unnoticed,
although many times it may feel that way. God is working
through you to change the heart of our community.

In Columbus I’ve been working on conservative policy and
fighting to reopen Ohio. Some of the bills I’ve
sponsored or co-sponsored are:

HB 202: Removing the statewide mask mandate
HB 249: Authorizing a tax credit for donations to charitable organizations
HB 253: Prohibiting mandatory vaccine passports

If I can serve you in anyway, please feel free to reach out
at any time.

Sincerely,
State Rep. Jena Powell, District 80

Jena Powell

Powell Cosponsors Legislation Prohibiting Vaccine Passports

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COLUMBUS – State Rep. Jena Powell (R-Arcanum) recently cosponsored legislation that prohibits vaccine passports.

“We’ve witnessed unprecedented government overreach during the course of the pandemic, and vaccine passports are another extreme method of stripping Ohioans of their freedom,” said Powell. “Showing proof of COVID-19 vaccination is an invasion of privacy and prohibits individuals from exercising their everyday rights.”

Powell noted New York is the first state to announce a vaccine passport program titled “Excelsior Pass,” which plans to use QR code technology to allow vaccinated individuals into venues.

“In Ohio, we value personal liberty and I will continue fighting to stop radical government overreach on my constituents,” added Powell.

The measure is sponsored by State Rep. Al Cutrona (R-Canfield) and currently awaits a bill number.

State Representative Jena Powell is currently serving her second term as a state representative. She represents the 80th Ohio House District, which encompasses Miami County and a portion of Darke County.
For more information, contact Rep. Powell’s office at 614-466-8114 or Rep80@ohiohouse.gov.
Jena Powell

Darke County Community Resources

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Drug abuse/mental health services:

  • Miami County Recovery Council (serves Darke County as well) list of services and resources: http://www.mcrcinc.org/uploads/1/4/9/1/14911028/2018_3-county_guide[1].pdf
  • Project DAWN
    • Phone Number: 937-573-3500
    • Project DAWN distributes naloxone and trains participants on what to do in the case of an overdose.
  • SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
    • National Hotline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
    • This is a national hotline for any individuals or families facing substance abuse or mental health struggles. They will provide resources and refer the caller to local organizations.
  • Tri-County Board of Recovery and Mental Health Services
    • Address: 1100 Wayne Street Suite 4000, Troy, OH 45373
    • Phone Number: (937) 335-7727
    • This organization provides a host of services focused on mental health and addiction recovery, ranging from medical treatments and medication to education and counseling.
  • Recovery and Wellness Centers of Midwest Ohio
    • Address: 600 Walnut St, Greenville, OH 45331
    • Phone Number: 937-548-6842
    • This organization provides counseling, treatment and education tailored to groups and individuals of all ages and both genders.
  • Family Health Services
    • Addresses
      • Greenville: 5735 Meeker Rd. Greenville, OH 45331
      • Arcanum: 702 N. Main Street, Arcanum, OH 45304
    • Phone Numbers
      • Greenville: 937-548-9680
      • Arcanum: 937-692-6601

SUICIDE PREVENTION RESOURCES:

  • 24-Hour Tri-County Crisis Hotline
    • Phone Number: 800.351.7347
    • This is a 24 hour crisis hotline available to residents of Darke County.
  • Coalition for a Healthy Darke County
  • Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation Darke County Hotline
    • County Hotline: 800-351-7347
    • This is an emergency hotline specific to Darke County, operated by a statewide agency.

CHILD CARE RESOURCES:

FOOD PANTRIES:

  • Grace Resurrection Community Center
    • Address: 433 E Water St. Greenville, OH 45331
    • Phone Number: 937-548-2595
    • This is a community center run as a collaboration between over 20 churches, the center provides Soup Kitchen, Food Pantry, Clothing Bank, Resource Referral Service, Medical Fee Assistance in cooperation with Family Health and a BackPack Program.
  • Fish Choice Pantry
    • Address: 400 Markwith Ave. Greenville, OH 45331
    • Phone Number: (937) 548-2000
    • This is a food pantry serving the residents of Darke County 3 days a week.

SENIOR CARE RESOURCES:

  • Coalition for a Healthy Darke County List
  • Wayne HealthCare Senior Behavioral Health
    • Address: 835 Sweitzer StreetGreenville, OH 45331
    • Phone Number: (937) 547-7430
    • Wayne HealthCare provides short-term inpatient psychiatric medical care for seniors.
  • Miami Valley Community Action Partnership
    • Phone Number: 937-547-9129
    • This organization provides transportation services to Darke County seniors, both general and medical.

CHURCH RESOURCES:

  • Bradford Church of the Nazarene
    • Address: 300 W Keller St. Bradford, OH 45308
    • Phone Number: 937-448-2308
    • This church offers food ministries as well as an Angel Tree, focusing on serving residents of Bradford school district.
  • Many churches pool their resources together to the Grace Resurrection Community Center mentioned above.
Jena Powell

OP-ED: Media Lies vs. Reality – Our Community Cares

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 Media Lies vs. Reality – Our Community Cares

It is easy to look at the past six months and see only hardship throughout our nation. But, if you look a bit closer, it is not hard to see the solidarity that our community has shown. If you look at social media and turn on the news, it doesn’t feel that way. It feels like riots are filling our streets and deep-rooted hate is the norm across America. But I don’t believe it. Our community is more than what the media portrays. Our community is full of loving individuals who risk it all for the sake of one another.

Let’s stop allowing the liberal media to tear our community apart. As your state representative, I get a special inside look, a peak behind the curtains. I’ve talked to thousands of people in OH-80 (Miami and Darke counties) in the past couple months. Here is just some of what I’ve learned and want to share with you.

Our community is generous with love and care

A couple months back, I did a Facebook Live and told the story of a young mom who wasn’t receiving her unemployment money. I left the Facebook live and put down my phone. An hour later, I came back to numerous messages from individuals asking to help this young mom – covering everything from food to paying her rent. These messages came from people both financially well off, as well as others who were barely making it themselves. I was humbled and blown away by the generosity.

Businesses stepped up in the face of uncertainty

When COVID first hit, schools were closed and children had to learn from home. This left many children without a place for daily food. The schools were working overtime to help, but were also overloaded with transitioning all classes to online schooling. Business owners stepped up, and provided free food for many kids, until the schools could transition to delivering meals or having drop-off locations for food. Thousands of children in our community were fed, on the dime of small business owners who didn’t know if they would have to permanently close down themselves. Truly heroic efforts by women and men business owners practically caring for our children.

Servant-hearted law enforcement

A couple months ago, I stopped by a nonprofit in our community. As I was looking around, I saw a police officer playing with young boys, teaching them about sports, and talking about life. Law enforcement in our community protect us well, and they are deeply about the welfare of our community. Law and order must be preserved. The officers in our community do everything they can to build relationships and make it safe for people to walk our streets. The heart and kindness of these officers will never be portrayed by the media, but I see it on display weekly.

 

I’m proud of our community. I’m proud of our businesses. I’m proud of the families who sacrifice daily for others. The liberal media skews the truth, and wants us to turn on our neighbors and friends. Our community will not stand for the lies the media is trying to stuff down our throats.

We stand for truth. We stand for law and order. We stand for the American flag, and we will continue caring for our community.

-Jena Powell

Jena Powell

MEDIA: “Young Ohio assemblywoman: ‘God uses my voice to fight for truth and justice'”

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Young Ohio assemblywoman:

‘God uses my voice to fight for truth and justice’

Jena Powell was 24 years old when she was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 2018.

A native of the Buckeye state, Powell told The Christian Post that she previously wanted to pursue business until God changed her plans.

“From a young age, my passion was business. But sometimes God alters our path and leads us somewhere different. For me, that was politics at the age of 24,” Powell said.

During her first term in the Ohio House of Representatives, Powell led many landmark legislative initiatives. In 2019, she sponsored a resolution to declare pornography a public health crisis and cosponsored the Ohio heartbeat bill, which prohibits elective abortion procedures if a heartbeat is detected in an unborn baby. According to the American Pregnancy Association, a heartbeat is often detectable starting between 5 ½ weeks and 6 ½ weeks. Heartbeat bills have been seen by both sides of the political aisle as an impending threat to Roe v. Wade.

The young lawmaker said that as a Christian woman in elected office, she has the opportunity to use her voice to fight for justice as an example to other women who might desire political influence:

“As people, we’re looking for more than a job — we’re looking for a calling … something that is bigger than ourselves. As Christians, that calling is crucial because this calling is from God and it is His way of manifesting His truth through us. At a young age, I knew I was supposed to do something; I just wasn’t sure what that was until God brought me into the political realm. As a female in politics, God uses my voice to fight for truth and justice, and while justice is not relative to the voice fighting for it, my voice as a female will hopefully inspire other women to join the fight. The world is hurting, and I get the honor to speak the truth, working to help others day in and day out.”

Powell represents all areas of policy and acknowledged that good policy can influence the livelihood of people who are hurting.

“I ran for office because I care about truth and justice in the public square. I enjoy working on business and tax policy, but also fight vehemently for unborn babies, families and religious freedom. My heart breaks for the difficult situations people are in, and while government can’t fix everything, government can implement good policy which alleviates so much unnecessary pain.”

Christian women are making waves throughout America’s policy venues, and they are encouraging other young women to get on board.

After speaking at the Freedom Summit, organized by the Falkirk Center for Faith and Liberty, Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., referenced young women of faith who are considering politics and pointed them to Scripture: “For young women who are looking to go into politics, remember that God uses nontraditional leaders many times to lead His nations. Look at Esther and Deborah and so many others. Focus on them.”

Shannon Stovall, a former congressional staffer, told CP that her area of work is a means of loving her neighbor.

“Good policy is a great way to love your neighbor,” she said. “Advocating for the unborn is a great way to love your neighbor. I think those things, whether you’re a woman or a man, are noble causes to fight for.”

Stovall now works for a conservative advocacy group in Washington, D.C.

In each interview, these women told CP that their role is not about being a woman in politics, but rather a Christian fulfilling God’s calling in their lives.

As written in the Christian Post, By John Wesley Reid, Contributor:

https://www.christianpost.com/news/young-ohio-assemblywoman-god-uses-my-voice-to-fight-for-truth-and-justice.html

‘Community Conversation’ event on Covid-19 Data with Special Guest, Troy Fire Chief Matthew Simmons

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ARCANUM — State Rep. Jena Powell (R-Arcanum) will be hosting a community conversation event with Troy Fire Chief Matthew Simmons to discuss COVID-19 numbers and statistics. The event will be held via Facebook Live on Wednesday, August 12 at noon. “I look forward to discussing COVID-19 with a well-respected leader in our community,” said Powell. “This community conversation will bring to light important statistics, including drug overdoses, successful treatments, studies on asymptomatic spread, and more.”

Chief Simmons has served the city of Troy in fire service for 20 years. He has pioneered multiple community outreach programs, including a heroin task force in conjunction with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office to combat the increasing epidemic. Chief Simmons is also a Navy veteran and holds certifications as a Firefighter, Paramedic, Fire Safety Inspector, and Fire and Explosive Investigator.

Rep. Jena Powell is currently serving her first term as a state representative. She represents the 80th Ohio House District, which encompasses Miami County and a portion of Darke County.

Jena Powell

Rep. Powell Statement On Forge Leadership Network Scholarships

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COLUMBUS – Representative Jena Powell (R-Arcanum) is offering students in District 80 scholarships to attend the Forge Leadership Summit. Rep. Powell is offering 75% scholarships to individuals in the district who are accepted into the Leadership Summit hosted by Forge Leadership Network, taking place July 21-25, 2020.

The Forge Leadership Summit is a five-day intensive filled with dynamic trainings, professional development, and renowned speakers. Accepted students represent talented conservative students and young professionals, ages 18-25, wanting to engage in politics, culture, and business.

Rep. Powell says, “This is a great opportunity for young, aspiring leaders in the 80th district to come and receive top-notch training and mentoring. Especially in today’s world, good leadership is crucial, and leaders of all ages in all sectors of the market are needed.”

For those who are interested in applying, www.ForgeLeadership.org/Apply has online applications. You must be between the ages of 18 and 25 to apply. Mention Rep. Powell’s office in the “How did you hear about Forge?” field to ensure your scholarship is applied.

As always, if you have state government concerns you can give our office a call at 614-466-8114 or email Rep80@ohiohouse.gov.

Jena Powell

OP-ED: Save Lives, Open the Economy, and Preserve Freedom

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As I’ve listened to and spoken with hundreds of Ohioans this week, the one word that continually comes to mind is compassion.

It can be easy to pretend to have all the answers. It’s easy to make things black and white. It’s easy and popular to state opinions as if they’re unequivocal facts.

I’ve spent countless hours listening and attempting to help, comfort, and understand those who are struggling through this while coming up with a plan of action to reopen our state.

•I listened to a daughter who couldn’t be at the bedside of her mother as she died alone.

•I listened to a single mom who was laid off from her job, crying because she isn’t receiving unemployment and she doesn’t have food for her kids.

•I listened to an exhausted business owner telling me about having to close his doors and lay off his employees due to a restricted and destabilized economy.

•I listened to the pain of those dying in a nursing home alone.

•I listened as people with underlying illnesses explained to me the fear they felt when going out to get groceries.

•I have seen the death reports of those with underlying illnesses.

•I listened to the restaurant owner whose life savings was being drained away from having to close her doors. Tears streamed down as she said she might never reopen again.

•I listened to the heartbroken high-school senior as she tried to process missing out on the final moments of her senior year: prom, the spring sports season, and celebrating the last day of school.

I’ve listened and I’ve learned. It’s complex.

All of us are feeling, thinking, and struggling through things that we’ve never had to before.

All this listening and learning has showed me that we are in need of one thing in our community: compassion.

In this difficult time, we all need to show compassion, as we realize there’s no easy answer. It takes compassion and humility to realize that, while some might not think this is serious, for the grieving families who’ve lost loved ones, this is the worst tragedy that could happen.

It takes compassion and humility to realize that, for the single mother losing her job and the business owner losing his business, this is the worst tragedy that could happen.

We can hold both as tragedies without diminishing either’s pain. We can fight hard to reopen our state while still speaking in a way that is full of compassion and humility. The greatest leaders are ones who can stand strong in what they believe is right and true, understanding that people’s circumstances are different and their pain is real. We must have both action and compassion. We need truth spoken in love.

Let’s have compassion and extend it graciously. We’re living in extraordinary times – our lives, families, and communities can either be marked by humility and compassion, or anger and bitterness.

We all want to see lives saved, the economy open quickly, and freedom preserved.

So today, let’s move forward with compassion and humility as we forge through this new territory to quickly reopen the state of Ohio together.

-Jena Powell | State Rep., Ohio 80

Jena Powell

Community Conversations: T. Elliot Gaiser

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Rep. Powell Announces Virtual ‘Community Conversation’ Event

ARCANUM – State Representative Jena Powell (R-Arcanum) announces she will be hosting a community conversation event with T. Elliot Gaiser to discuss regulatory and administrative law in regard to COVID-19. The event will be held tomorrow via Facebook Live.

Gaiser is an attorney from Northeast Ohio and has experience in issues related to the separation of powers, federalism, the First Amendment, and the Administrative Procedure Act. He served as a law clerk on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

“I’m grateful Mr. Gaiser will share his knowledge with my constituents as we navigate through this uncertain period in our nation’s history,” said Powell.  “It’s important that we are aware of the current laws and regulations as we face this pandemic.”

To participate in the community conversation, please visit the @VoteJenaPowell Facebook page on Wednesday, April 22nd at 9:00am. If you have any questions about the event or how to access the Facebook page, please email Rep80@ohiohouse.gov

BIO For T. Elliot Gaiser:
T. Elliot Gaiser received his J.D. in 2016 from the University of Chicago law school, where he was a Bradley Fellow, Vice President of University of Chicago Federalist Society, and winner of the Karl Llewelyn Memorial Cup for excellence in brief writing & oral advocacy. Before graduation, Mr. Gaiser was an extern to Judge Alice M. Batchelder on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and a clerk in the Ohio Attorney General’s Office of the Solicitor General.

Prior to law school, Mr. Gaiser worked as a Graduate Fellow for Welfare Studies covering anti-poverty programs and immigration issues at The Heritage Foundation.

Mr. Gaiser graduated magna cum laude from Hillsdale College in 2012, where he served as Opinions Editor of The Collegian, received the Edward Everett Prize in Oratory, and worked as an on-air DJ for WCSR Radio Hillsdale 92.1 FM, 1340 AM.

Mr. Gaiser was an associate at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, where he focused on issues related to the separation of powers, federalism, environmental regulation, the First Amendment, and the Administrative Procedure Act. Mr. Gaiser served as a law clerk to Judge Edith H. Jones on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and to Judge Neomi Rao on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

Op-Eds by T. Elliot Gaiser:
GAISER: Justice Clarence Thomas at Hillsdale: Fulfill the Obligations of Freedom To Become Beacons of Light, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, July 7, 2016
GAISER: Millennials’ Politically Uncertain Trumpet, PJMedia, Jan. 28, 2016
GAISER: Seven Reasons to Reform Food Stamps, The Daily Signal, July 4, 2013
BOCCIA & GAISER: Three Reasons for Social Security to Use Chained CPI, RealClearPolitics, Mar. 26, 2013

 

State Representative Jena Powell is currently serving her first term as a state representative. She represents the 80th Ohio House District, which encompasses Miami County and a portion of Darke County.

 

For more information, contact Rep Powell’s office at 614-466-8114 or Rep80@ohiohouse.gov.