Jessica Harper for OH District 93
ABOUT THE CANDIDATE

A Better Tomorrow Starts Today
5714

Snapshot

Jessica Harper is a first-time candidate running to represent Ohio’s 93rd House District, serving Jackson, Gallia, and Lawrence counties.

She's an American Government teacher at Jackson High School and longtime public education advocate.

Her experience advocating for students, educators, and stronger public schools inspired her to run for office and bring the concerns of local communities to the Statehouse.

In addition to education, Jessica has experience in agriculture and customer service, giving her a broad understanding of the challenges facing working families and rural communities.

She holds degrees from The Ohio State University and Ohio University and lives on a farm in northern Jackson County with her husband, Melvin, and daughter, Sarah.

Get to Know Me

I am entering the political arena for the first time this election cycle, and I am running for the 93rd House District seat that is currently held by Jason Stephens (R). The 93rd District includes Jackson, Gallia, and Lawrence counties. 
 
I am an American Government teacher at Jackson High School, and I previously taught middle school English within the Jackson City School District. I am currently the president of the Jackson City Education Association (JCEA), the Jackson County Representative to the Southeastern Ohio Education Association (SEOEA), and a member of the Board of Directors for the Ohio Education Association (OEA). My political involvement includes coordinating a protest focused on US Representative Dave Taylor’s stance on federal funding for public education, organizing a rally to support fully funding public education, and participating in lobby days at the Ohio Statehouse that were sponsored by OEA. I decided to run for office after seeing how my school district and other school districts in the 93rd District are being negatively affected by the decisions of state legislators, and I believe I can make a difference as the district’s representative.
 
Aside from my involvement in public education, I have also worked in the agricultural industry and in the customer service field in the residential relocation industry. This additional experience allows me to recognize multiple areas in our district where improvements can be made. My customer service expertise has allowed me to develop effective communication skills that will benefit everyone I interact with.
 
I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from The Ohio State University in 2004, and a Master of Education degree in Middle Childhood Education from The Ohio University in 2016. I hold professional licensures with the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce in Middle Childhood Social Studies and English Language Arts, and Adolescent/Young Adult Integrated Social Studies.
 
I reside in northern Jackson County farm with my husband, Melvin, and our daughter, Sarah. I also have an adult daughter, Lauren, and a grandson. My husband runs a commercial cow/calf operation on land that was originally part of the family farm that dates to the mid-1800’s. I am active in my church, Grace Baptist Fellowship, in Wellston, where I enjoy singing in the choir.

Think for Yourself Podcast

Bill Martin and Dennis Reinhart introduce Jessica Harper, a Democrat, who is running for a seat in the Ohio House of Representatives, 93rd District. Note in particular the discussions about public school funding and data centers.
Learn More