Brad Wenstrup

Brad Wenstrup
Born	Brad Robert Wenstrup 17 6, 1958
Birthplace	Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, podiatric surgeon, U.S. Army Reserve officer
Known for	U.S. Representative for Ohio's 2nd congressional district (2013–2025); providing medical aid during the 2017 Congressional baseball shooting
Education	University of Cincinnati (BA) Rosalind Franklin University (BS, DPM)
Children	2
Awards	Soldier's Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Combat Action Badge
Website	[[wenstrup.house.gov wenstrup.house.gov] (archived) Official site]

Brad Robert Wenstrup (born June 17, 1958) is an American politician, podiatric surgeon, and retired U.S. Army Reserve colonel who served as the U.S. Representative for Ohio's 2nd congressional district from January 2013 to January 2025. A member of the Republican Party, Wenstrup first won his seat by defeating incumbent Jean Schmidt in the 2012 Republican primary election, a result that was considered a significant upset in Ohio politics. An Iraq War veteran who served as a combat surgeon with the 344th Combat Support Hospital, Wenstrup drew national attention on June 14, 2017, when he provided emergency medical treatment to Congressman Steve Scalise after a mass shooting at a Congressional baseball practice, an act for which he was awarded the Soldier's Medal. During his final term in Congress, Wenstrup served as chairman of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, overseeing the panel's investigation into the origins of COVID-19 and the federal government's pandemic response. In November 2023, he announced he would not seek re-election in 2024, and was succeeded by David Taylor in January 2025.

Early Life

Brad Robert Wenstrup was born on June 17, 1958, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He grew up in the Cincinnati area, where he would later build both his medical practice and political career. Wenstrup's upbringing in southwestern Ohio shaped his long association with the region; Ohio's 2nd congressional district, which he would eventually represent, encompasses suburban and rural areas to the east and south of Cincinnati, stretching along the Ohio River.

Wenstrup pursued an interest in medicine from a relatively early age. He attended the University of Cincinnati, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He subsequently enrolled at the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (formerly the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine) in North Chicago, Illinois, where he earned both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree. After completing his education, Wenstrup returned to the Cincinnati area to practice podiatric surgery, establishing himself as a medical professional in the community where he had grown up.

In addition to his civilian medical career, Wenstrup joined the United States Army Reserve in 1998, beginning a military career that would span more than two decades. His decision to serve in the military reserves while maintaining a private medical practice reflected dual commitments that would later define much of his public identity as both a physician and a veteran.

Education

Wenstrup's educational background spans both the liberal arts and medical sciences. He first attended the University of Cincinnati, one of Ohio's largest public universities, where he completed a Bachelor of Arts degree. He then pursued medical training at the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago, Illinois, earning a Bachelor of Science degree and a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree. His DPM credential qualified him to practice podiatric surgery, a specialty focused on surgical treatment of conditions affecting the foot and ankle. Wenstrup practiced podiatric surgery in the Cincinnati area for years before entering politics, and his medical training later informed his legislative work on veterans' health care and public health policy.

Career

Military Service

Wenstrup began his service in the United States Army Reserve in 1998. He was assigned to the 344th Combat Support Hospital, a reserve medical unit. His military service took on increased significance following the September 11 attacks and the subsequent War on Terror.

Wenstrup deployed to Iraq as part of the Iraq War, serving as a combat surgeon. His deployment provided him with direct experience treating battlefield injuries, an experience he frequently referenced during his subsequent political career. For his service in Iraq, Wenstrup received the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Action Badge, among other military decorations.

Wenstrup continued his service in the Army Reserve after returning from Iraq, rising through the ranks to the grade of colonel. In March 2017, he received a military promotion ceremony that was attended by several of his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives. He served in the Army Reserve from 1998 until his retirement from military service in 2022, completing a 24-year military career that ran concurrently with both his medical practice and his time in Congress.

2012 Congressional Campaign

In 2012, Wenstrup entered the Republican primary election for Ohio's 2nd congressional district, challenging the two-term incumbent Jean Schmidt. The district, which covers a large swath of southern and eastern Ohio including parts of the Cincinnati suburbs, was considered a safe Republican seat. Despite Schmidt's incumbency advantage, Wenstrup ran a campaign that emphasized his military service and medical background.

The primary election, held on March 6, 2012, resulted in an upset victory for Wenstrup over Schmidt. The result drew attention in Ohio political circles, as Schmidt had been a well-established figure in the district. With the Republican nomination secured in a heavily Republican district, Wenstrup was favored in the general election.

In the November 2012 general election, Wenstrup won the seat to represent Ohio's 2nd congressional district in the 113th United States Congress. He took office on January 3, 2013, succeeding Schmidt.

Tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives

Wenstrup served six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, from the 113th Congress (2013–2015) through the 118th Congress (2023–2025). Throughout his tenure, he represented Ohio's 2nd congressional district, winning re-election in 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022.

During his time in Congress, Wenstrup served on several key committees. His medical and military background informed his legislative priorities, which included veterans' affairs, health care policy, and national security matters. He wrote about the importance of constituent services in Congress, advocating for what he described as a "customer service" approach to representing constituents.

2017 Congressional Baseball Shooting

On June 14, 2017, a gunman opened fire on Republican members of Congress and their staff during a practice session for the annual Congressional Baseball Game at a baseball field in Alexandria, Virginia. Congressman Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the House Majority Whip at the time, was among those shot and critically wounded in the attack.

Wenstrup, who was present at the practice as a player, immediately drew on his training as both an Army combat surgeon and a podiatric surgeon to render emergency medical aid. He provided critical first aid to Scalise at the scene, applying pressure to the wound and working to stabilize him until emergency medical services arrived and transported Scalise to MedStar Washington Hospital Center. In interviews following the shooting, Wenstrup compared the experience to his time serving in Iraq, telling Stars and Stripes that it felt "like I was back in Iraq."

For his actions during the shooting, the U.S. Army awarded Wenstrup the Soldier's Medal, one of the highest peacetime awards for valor. The Soldier's Medal is awarded to any person of the Armed Forces who distinguishes themselves by heroism not involving conflict with an enemy.

Chairman of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic

In the 118th United States Congress (2023–2025), Wenstrup was appointed chairman of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, a panel established under the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability. The subcommittee was tasked with investigating the origins of COVID-19, evaluating the federal government's response to the pandemic, and examining pandemic-related spending and policies.

Under Wenstrup's leadership, the subcommittee conducted extensive hearings, interviewed witnesses, and gathered documents related to the pandemic response. On December 4, 2024, as his final term in Congress drew to a close, Wenstrup delivered remarks at the markup of the subcommittee's final report and released a set of recommendations for future pandemic preparedness. In his remarks, Wenstrup outlined the panel's findings and proposed a path forward for improving the government's capacity to respond to future public health emergencies. His role as chairman of the COVID select subcommittee was one of the most prominent positions he held during his congressional career and defined much of his final term.

Decision Not to Seek Re-Election

On November 9, 2023, Wenstrup announced that he would not seek re-election to a seventh term in the 2024 election cycle. His decision to retire from Congress was reported by Roll Call, which noted that the seat was considered a safe Republican district. At the time of his announcement, Wenstrup was serving as a podiatric surgeon in addition to his congressional duties, representing a Cincinnati-area seat. He was succeeded by Republican David Taylor, who took office on January 3, 2025.

In a subsequent interview, Wenstrup reflected on his time in Congress and indicated that his departure was a personal decision rather than one driven by political considerations. He expressed that he was well positioned for a transition back to civilian life given his ongoing medical career.

Post-Congressional Career

After leaving Congress in January 2025, Wenstrup returned to Ohio and resumed elements of his civilian and professional life. A Roll Call profile published in October 2025 described his return to Ohio as bringing his "journey full circle," noting that unlike many departing members of Congress, Wenstrup had a medical practice to return to, which made his transition smoother than that of many former legislators. A separate Roll Call survey of former members published in July 2025 found that many of the 84 former members of the House and Senate who left during or at the end of the previous Congress expressed few regrets about their departures, with Wenstrup among those who appeared content with the decision.

In November 2025, Wenstrup joined CGCN Group, a Republican-aligned lobbying and public affairs firm, as a strategic partner. The move was reported by NOTUS, which described CGCN as an "all-GOP lobbying and public affairs" organization and noted that Wenstrup's addition represented "another big name" for the firm.

Also in November 2025, Wenstrup joined the board of directors of Maxwell Biosciences, a biopharmaceutical company. The company cited his "broad experience in government, military and civilian medicine and expertise in managing bacterial, fungal and viral" threats as qualifications for the position.

Wenstrup has continued to comment on public policy matters after leaving office. In May 2025, he authored an op-ed published in the Washington Reporter discussing trade policy and tax reform, drawing on his experience in Congress. In July 2025, he appeared on WLWT, a Cincinnati-area television station, to discuss President Donald Trump's first six months in office during his second term.

Personal Life

Wenstrup is a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio, where he has maintained deep ties throughout his life and career. He has two children. In 2012, during his first congressional campaign, local media reported that Wenstrup was planning his wedding while simultaneously running for office, highlighting the personal milestones that coincided with his entry into politics.

Following his retirement from Congress, Wenstrup returned to the Cincinnati area. The transition was described by Roll Call as a natural homecoming for someone whose medical practice, military service, and political career had all been rooted in the same community. His return to Ohio allowed him to resume his podiatric surgery practice while also taking on new roles in the private sector.

Wenstrup's military service remained a defining element of his personal identity throughout his public career. His 24 years in the U.S. Army Reserve (1998–2022), including his deployment to Iraq and his actions during the 2017 congressional baseball shooting, reflected a commitment to service that spanned both his military and civilian lives.

Recognition

Wenstrup received several military awards and decorations during his career in the U.S. Army Reserve. For his combat service during the Iraq War, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Action Badge.

His most prominent recognition came in the form of the Soldier's Medal, awarded for his actions on June 14, 2017, during the 2017 Congressional baseball shooting. The Soldier's Medal recognizes acts of heroism not involving conflict with an enemy, and Wenstrup received it for providing life-saving medical treatment to Congressman Steve Scalise at the scene of the shooting. The incident brought Wenstrup significant national media attention and highlighted the intersection of his military medical training and his role as a member of Congress.

The University of Cincinnati, Wenstrup's undergraduate alma mater, profiled him for his military service in its university magazine, describing his experiences as a combat surgeon in Iraq.

His promotion to the rank of colonel in the Army Reserve in 2017 was itself a notable event, with the ceremony attended by several of his colleagues in the House of Representatives.

Legacy

Brad Wenstrup's 12-year congressional career, combined with his military service and medical background, positioned him as an unusual figure in American politics — a practicing physician, combat veteran, and legislator simultaneously. His defeat of incumbent Jean Schmidt in the 2012 Republican primary demonstrated that a challenger with strong personal credentials could overcome the advantages of incumbency, even within a party primary.

His response during the 2017 Congressional baseball shooting remains one of the most prominent moments of his public career. The incident underscored the potential value of having members of Congress with specialized skills, as Wenstrup's medical and military training allowed him to provide immediate, potentially life-saving care in a crisis situation. His actions that day were recognized not only with the Soldier's Medal but also with sustained public attention that extended well beyond his congressional district.

As chairman of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic during the 118th Congress, Wenstrup led one of the most significant congressional investigations of the post-pandemic era. The subcommittee's final report, released in December 2024, contained recommendations aimed at improving future pandemic preparedness and government accountability. The findings and recommendations of the subcommittee under his leadership are expected to influence future legislative and executive branch approaches to pandemic response.

After leaving Congress, Wenstrup's transition into roles with CGCN Group and Maxwell Biosciences reflected a path common among former members of Congress who leverage their policy expertise and government experience in the private sector. His board appointment at Maxwell Biosciences, in particular, drew on his unique combination of medical, military, and legislative experience in the realm of infectious disease and public health.