Jonathan Dever

Jonathan Dever (born November 28, 1972) is the Representative for the 28th district of the Ohio House of Representatives. Dever was raised in Montgomery, Ohio and went on to graduate with a BA from University of Cincinnati, an MILR from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a JD from Capital University Law School. He has since started the Dever Law Firm in Cincinnati, where he lives with his wife and two sons. In 2014, Dever opted to run for the Ohio House of Representatives in the 28th district, which had been represented by Democrat Connie Pillich for the past six years. In a close primary, Dever prevailed by 66 votes. He would go on to face Democrat Micah Kamrass, in what would be one of the closest watched state House races of the cycle. He would ultimately defeat Kamrass 56%-44% to take the seat.
Representative Dever was appointed by the Speaker to serve on Ways and Means Committee, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Judiciary Committee, Community and Family Advancement Committee, and the Sub-Committee on Minority Affairs.

Dever was born in Tacoma, Washington as his father, a Cincinnati native, was stationed at Fort Lewis Military Base during the Vietnam Conflict. His father instilled in him the values of public service and after an Honorable Discharge, the Dever family moved back home to the Cincinnati area.

Dever was raised in Montgomery, Ohio and went on to graduate with a BA from University of Cincinnati where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Later, he earned a master's degree in Industrial Labor Relations from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and subsequently earned his Juris Doctorate from Capital University Law School. He has since started the Dever Law Firm in West Chester, Ohio. He currently he lives in Madeira with his wife and two sons.

Ohio House of Representatives

Wasting no time after taking office, Dever gained a reputation as no-nonsense legislator who could get things done. In the General Assembly's annual Family Feud event, he was selected as the most influential first term legislator.

Jobs

• HB 387 - Small Claims Court - The Bill doubles the contested amount that can be adjudicated in Small Claims Court from $3,000 to $6,000. This will allow small business who cannot afford the legal fees and experts for a Municipal Court hearing, to pursue their claims up to $6,000 without an attorney.

Education

• HB 64 - School Funding

Disability

• HB 155 - The Ohio ABLE Act
• HB 158 - Developmental Disability - removed the term "mentally retarded" from the ORC. This legislation was extremely technical as these changes effected our prison system, reimbursement for medical treatment, and the administration of services at the county level.
• HB 358 - Tax Parity for ABLE Account Holders – builds on a bill I sponsored which was passed in 2015, HB 155. Contributions to ABLE Accounts now receive same tax treatment as saving for a child's 529. It also allows out of state families to participate in the Ohio program. This legislation was amended into the DD MBR and was passed by both chambers.

Housing

• HB 303 - The DOLLAR Deed - allows a homeowner to stay in their home as a tenant when facing foreclosure rather than being put out on the street. DOLLAR stands for Deed Over your property in exchange for a Lender Lease and an Agreed Repurchase. It allows people the chance to get back on their feet and keep their home.
• HB 463 - Foreclosure Reform - overhauls the processes and procedures related to foreclosure. And for the first time, gives power and tools to local governments to solve their blighted and abandoned properties. The Bill passed the House earlier in the month and was amended into HB 390 so that it would pass before the summer.

Heroin Epidemic

• HB 171 - Attacking the Heroin Epidemic - treats heroin, cocaine, and crack cocaine the same when it comes to punishing drug traffickers. Prior to this change in law, heroin was treated similar to marijuana trafficking.
• HB 270 - Holding dealers responsible for overdose deaths.

Central Corridor Gas Pipeline Extension Project

Dever has major concerns with the proposed routes for Duke Energy's Central Corridor Gas Pipeline Extension Project, stating that the routes that run through residential neighborhoods would jeopardize families, schools, and communities. Dever supports the establishment of a dialogue between Duke Energy and local residents and officials so that all interested parties have the opportunity to address their concerns before any further action is taken.

2014 Campaign

In 2014, Dever ran for the Ohio House of Representatives in the 28th district, which had been represented by Democrat Connie Pillich since 2009. In a close primary, Dever prevailed by 66 votes. He would go on to face Democrat Micah Kamrass, in what would be one of the closest watched State House races of the 2014 campaign cycle. He would ultimately defeat Kamrass 56%-44% and was sworn in as State Representative in January, 2015.

2016 Campaign

Running for a second term in the Ohio House, Dever was unopposed in the 2016 Primary Election.