Mary Jo was elected to Congress in 2008, and has represented the people of central Ohio since January 7, 2009. Mary Jo serves as a member of the powerful House Committee on Financial Services and the House Homeland Security Committee. As a member of the Financial Services Committee, Mary Jo has played a critical role in the fight to bring accountability to Wall Street and protect Main Street from another financial crisis. Mary Jo is also focused on growing our economy and creating jobs – as a member of the Congressional Task Force on Competitiveness she works to ensure that central Ohio becomes a magnet for business and innovation.

Mary Jo has over 19 years experience in public service starting at the local and county level. As a public school mother, Mary Jo first ran for office in 1991, winning and serving two terms on the Columbus Board of Education. Franklin County voters elected Mary Jo to her first term as a Franklin County Commissioner in 2000, and re-elected her in 2004. During her tenure, Mary Jo helped create the Columbus Franklin County Affordable Housing Trust Corporation, spearheaded the creation of the Big Darby Accord Panel to protect central Ohio’s environmental and economic health, and worked to provide central Ohio with quality health care by ensuring the funding for Access Health Columbus, the Columbus Neighborhood Health Centers, The Breathing Association’s free clinic, the AIDS Task Force and the Diabetes Association. Mary Jo’s dedication to Central Ohio earned her the Public Official of the Year award and she remains dedicated to the health and prosperity of central Ohio as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.