Kathy is in her race to win it and we couldn’t be more thrilled to endorse her. She is a rising star and we can’t wait to see what she’ll do in Statehouse to support women and their families in Ohio.

“It means so much to me personally to be supported by The Matriots. They recognize that when women have a seat at the table, everyone benefits.“
– Kathy Wyenandt

Meet the Candidate

Can you tell our members a little bit about your journey to filing as a candidate?

I have been involved behind the scenes in politics and campaigns for many years, writing strategy and managing a few campaigns, including a successful school levy campaign. I’ve also been involved with our local school district in a variety of volunteer capacities. Over the years I have seen our public schools struggle with a significant loss of state funding and failed levies. When I realized how critical this issue was – and that our current representative isn’t going to even address it – I knew it was time to run.

Tell our members about a friend or family member who inspired you to become a leader.

My father was born in poverty in rural Kentucky. He worked his way to a successful career with the federal government and always remembered where he came from. He was always concerned for the ‘little guy’ and taught me to go against the grain and stand up for the underdog.

Some of you are military veterans, some small business owners, some professionals, some mothers and grandmothers, some homemakers. How did one of these experiences shape who you are as a person and leader?

My background is diverse. I graduated from Miami University with degrees in political science and psychology. I worked in market research and then moved on to pharmaceutical sales and then management as our family needs changed. Along the way, I opened a small business in interior decorating, turning my creative outlet into an income. I’ve been very involved in the community, serving on boards and volunteering with a variety of groups for many years. I think what has shaped me the most as a leader has been my involvement with the Lakota Local School District. It’s there that I’ve really learned to appreciate the unique talents and gifts of others and honed my skills in project management. Good leaders know how to collaborate and empower.

The Matriots PAC has a goal to see 50% of all elected offices in Ohio held by women by 2028. What is your vision for Ohio in 2028?

I would love to see gender equity in elected offices by 2028. I would also love to see more voters participating and a healthier political dialogue.

Tip O’Neill famously said that “all politics is local.” What are the top-two issues your community or our state face today?

There are so many issues facing Ohio today, but one of the most critically urgent needs is to address the addiction/opioid crisis that is impacting our state. The next few key issues are education, more good-paying jobs, and aging infrastructure.

Tell us something personal about yourself.

I love to dance! I am a retired NFL cheerleader and grew up dancing and performing.