SpringfieldNewsSun.com

COLUMBUS — Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner kept her campaign promise to review Ohio's election system, a challenge that earned her a place among the 2008 recipients of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.

Brunner is being honored for her "political courage by a distinguished bipartisan committee of national, political, and community leaders," according to a statement from the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation.

Brunner will receive the award in a ceremony at the library in Boston on May 12, along with Debra Bowen, California's secretary of state.

Past recipients of the award include former President Gerald Ford, U.S. Sen. John McCain and former United Nations chief Kofi Annan.

"I was stunned" upon learning of the award, Brunner said. "I had not applied for it."

Even more stunning was the personal call that came from Caroline Kennedy, president of the JFK Library Foundation, offering congratulations, Brunner added.

Brunner's decision to review the system amidst "quite a bit of furor" was based on ensuring accuracy and reliability of the state voting system, not receiving accolades, she said.

"When a person is in public service, they do what they do because it's the right thing," she said.

The $1.9 million study found vulnerabilities in the system that could reportedly compromise the validity of results.

The review reflects the simple creed Brunner's parents taught her: "Be honest and work hard."

Born in Springfield, Brunner was raised in Columbus and South Charleston, where she still has family and "strong roots."

The prestigious award is an honor that shows critics "that maybe the ideas I have ought to be listened to," Brunner said.

"I hope that when people go to vote this November, they will find elections accessible, be treated courteously and find confidence in their voting system," she added. "If they feel that way, then I have done my job."

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0374 or boutten@coxohio.com.

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