Johnathan Newman (born JulyÃÂ 5,ÃÂ 1968) is an American Christian pastor and Republican Party politician serving as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives for the 80th district since JanuaryÃÂ 2025.
Newman earned bachelorâÂÂs degrees in theology and sociology from Union University in Tennessee and a masterâÂÂs degree in divinity from MidâÂÂAmerica Baptist Theological Seminary.
Since the late 1990s, Newman has served as founding senior pastor of Koinos Church in Troy, Ohio. He has also been a certified marriage and family counselor and received the 2017 Dietrich Bonhoeffer Award from the Center for Christian Virtue for his proâÂÂlife advocacy.
In Novemberâ¯2024, Newman was elected to represent OhioâÂÂs open House Districtâ¯80, defeating Democrat Melissa VanDyke with 74.9% of the vote. During the 2024 campaign, local media featured NewmanâÂÂs pastoral background and community leadership in their coverage of the open-seat contest.
He was sworn into office on Januaryâ¯6,â¯2025.
Newman serves as vice-chair of the House Agriculture Committee and is also a member of the Community Revitalization, Education, and Transportation committees.
He participated in the passage of the state operating budget, supported the Agriculture Appreciation Act (HBâ¯65), sponsored legislation on annexation procedures, and backed a resolution urging repeal of the Johnson Amendment.
In June 2025, Newman co-sponsored the Ohio Prenatal Equal Protection Act, a proposed bill that would grant full legal personhood to fertilized embryos and criminalize abortion as homicide. He criticized the 2023 Ohio reproductive rights initiative (Issueâ¯1), stating, âÂÂI think the passage of Issueâ¯1 ... was the worst mistake Ohio ever made,â and acknowledged the tension between constituent will and his views.
Newman and his wife Jeni have three adult children.