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Josh Hendrickson (Symmes Township Trustee Board At-large (Hamilton County), Ohio, candidate 2025)
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Josh Hendrickson is running for election to the Symmes Township Trustee Board At-large (Hamilton County) in Ohio. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.[source]
Hendrickson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
[1]Biography
Josh Hendrickson provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on September 25, 2025:
- Birth date: December 15, 1982
- Birth place: Houston, Texas
- High school: South Dearborn High School
- Other: Indiana School of Ministry, 2010
- Gender: Male
- Religion: Christian
- Profession: Minister
- Incumbent officeholder: No
- Campaign slogan: Fresh leadership for a Stronger Symmes
- Campaign website
- Campaign endorsements
- Campaign Facebook
Elections
General election
The general election will occur on November 4, 2025.
General election for Symmes Township Trustee Board At-large (Hamilton County) (2 seats)
Ken Bryant, Josh Hendrickson, and Jodie L. Leis are running in the general election for Symmes Township Trustee Board At-large (Hamilton County) on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | ||
| Ken Bryant (Nonpartisan) | ||
 | Josh Hendrickson (Nonpartisan)  | |
| Jodie L. Leis (Nonpartisan) | ||
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Endorsements
Hendrickson received the following endorsements. To view a full list of Hendrickson's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. To send us additional endorsements, click here.
Campaign themes
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Josh Hendrickson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Hendrickson's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Professionally, I am a tech journalist and former editor-in-chief, where I learned the importance of asking hard questions, making thoughtful decisions, and ensuring accountability. That background drives my belief that township government should be transparent, accessible, and focused on solving problems for residents.
I am running for Symmes Township Trustee because I believe our community deserves leadership that listens and acts. Too often, residents feel like decisions are made for them, not with them. I want to change that. My focus is on practical improvements that directly impact daily life: safer sidewalks and crosswalks, better street lighting, thriving parks and green spaces, and smart infrastructure choices that prepare us for the future.
Most of all, I want to make sure every resident feels their voice matters. Symmes is strongest when its leadership reflects and responds to the needs of the entire community. With fresh leadership, we can build a brighter, more connected township together.- Fresh Leadership for Symmes. I believe it’s time for new energy and new ideas in township leadership. Too often, local government falls back on “the way we’ve always done things,” even when our community’s needs have changed. As a younger candidate, a parent raising a family here, and someone deeply involved in our schools and community programs, I bring a perspective that reflects today’s residents. I will work to ensure township decisions are forward-looking, practical, and responsive, balancing fiscal responsibility with smart investments that improve daily life for families, seniors, and all our neighbors.
- Focused on Community. Every neighborhood in Symmes has unique needs, and good leadership should reflect that. My focus is on listening to residents and ensuring township resources address the priorities they care about most. For some areas, that means sidewalks and crosswalks to make it safer for kids to walk or bike; for others, it’s improved street lighting, stronger support for parks, or more opportunities to gather as a community. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, I will work with each neighborhood to identify what matters most and make sure township decisions enhance the quality of life for every resident.
- Leadership That Listens. I believe the best decisions are made when everyone has a seat at the table. Too often, residents feel like township government is distant or decisions are made without their input. I want to change that by making transparency and open communication a top priority. Whether it’s regular updates, opportunities to share feedback, or simply being available to listen, I will ensure residents know their voices matter. Township leadership should reflect the concerns of all our neighbors, not just a select few, and I am committed to building a culture of trust, accessibility, and genuine two-way dialogue.
This office is important because it provides a level of accessibility and responsiveness that larger government bodies cannot match. A township trustee is a neighbor, someone residents can talk to at a community event, at a park, or even in the grocery store. That closeness means decisions are not theoretical; they are immediately felt by the families who live here. When trustees approve a budget, prioritize a road improvement, or support a community program, the results are visible within days or weeks, not years.
The office also plays a vital role in balancing the needs of local neighborhoods with the broader framework of county and state government. Trustees must ensure that Symmes remains a thriving and attractive community while still working within state law and collaborating with county partners. That balance requires trustees to be both advocates for local residents and careful stewards of taxpayer dollars.
Practical problem-solving and fiscal responsibility are also critical. Taxpayer dollars should be spent wisely, with careful attention to both current needs and long-term sustainability. At the same time, an elected official should be willing to innovate and adapt, recognizing that what worked in the past may not always serve us best in the future.
Beyond managing these essentials, trustees must also serve as the bridge between residents and their government. That means listening carefully to concerns, keeping communication open and transparent, and ensuring that decisions reflect the priorities of neighborhoods across the township. Trustees should not apply a one-size-fits-all approach but instead recognize that different areas have different needs—whether that’s sidewalks and safe crossings for kids walking to school, improved lighting for safety, or investments in green space.
Too often, people feel like their voices don’t count in township decisions. If I can help change that, if residents know their leaders are listening, taking concerns seriously, and explaining decisions with honesty and clarity, that would be a legacy worth leaving. I want people to remember that their trustee was approachable, available, and genuinely cared about what they had to say.
I also hope to leave behind practical improvements that make daily life better. That means safer sidewalks and crossings so kids can walk or wait for the bus without worry, neighborhoods that are well lit and feel safe at night, and public spaces where families can come together. I want Symmes to grow in ways that reflect the priorities of the people who live here, not just the convenience of outside developers. If future families enjoy parks, pathways, and community events that bring them together, I would be proud to know I had a hand in that.
More than anything else, I want my legacy to be about the way I lead. I have spent years as both a minister and a journalist, and in both roles I learned the value of listening carefully and speaking truthfully. If people remember me as someone who led with integrity, treated others with respect, and put community first, then I will have done the job well.
For example, trustees play a direct role in zoning and land use. A zoning decision can determine whether a new community center is built, whether green space is preserved, or whether development fits the values of a neighborhood. These choices may seem procedural, but they can make or break opportunities that residents have been waiting on for years.
Trustees also oversee investments in public safety that go beyond the basics. In Symmes, trustees recently approved installing police cameras around the township. While this can help law enforcement keep our neighborhoods safer, it also carries hidden costs that deserve careful discussion. The cameras require a significant upfront purchase, ongoing subscription fees for the software that makes them work, and they generate data that tracks movements within our community. Residents deserve transparency about both the benefits and the tradeoffs so decisions are made openly and responsibly.
In addition, trustees approve budgets that determine everything from road repairs to park improvements, and they often serve as the bridge between residents and larger entities like the county or state. Many residents are surprised to learn that trustees can directly influence whether sidewalks get extended in a particular neighborhood, how resources are allocated for community events, or whether local infrastructure projects are prioritized.
Township government is meant to be close to the people, and that means it benefits from leaders who bring real-world experience, practical problem-solving, and a willingness to listen. Someone who has coached local teams, supported schools, or worked alongside neighbors on community projects understands the daily concerns of residents in a way that can be just as valuable as prior political service. A trustee’s role is not to play politics, but to represent residents, manage resources wisely, and make transparent, accountable decisions that improve quality of life.
In fact, a mix of perspectives often creates the healthiest government. Some trustees may bring years of experience with budgets or zoning, while others may contribute fresh thinking, new priorities, and a deeper connection to families raising children or seniors aging in place. What matters most is not whether a person has held office before, but whether they are committed to serving with integrity, listening to residents, and making choices that reflect the community’s values and needs.
Research is one of the most important skills. Trustees often face complicated issues, from zoning applications to infrastructure costs. Being able to gather the facts, ask the right questions, and sort out what truly matters ensures decisions are made with care and with the long-term in mind.
Communication is just as critical. Residents deserve to understand not just what was decided, but why. Clear communication builds trust, and it makes government more accessible to the people it serves.
Listening, though, may be the single most important skill of all. Township government works best when leaders take the time to really hear their neighbors and understand that each neighborhood has its own concerns. A trustee who listens with humility is far more likely to make decisions that reflect the community’s true needs.
My own background has prepared me well for this. As a minister, I have spent years sitting with people in moments of joy, struggle, and loss, listening first and offering guidance only when it is truly needed. As a journalist and editor, I have learned to research thoroughly, communicate clearly, and hold decision-makers accountable. As a volunteer and coach, I have worked alongside families and young people to help them grow and succeed.
Another quality that makes the trustee role important is its responsibility for balancing everyday needs with long-term planning. Trustees must manage budgets that fund essential services, but they also shape how the community grows and develops over time. Decisions about zoning, infrastructure, and land use can affect the character of Symmes for decades, determining whether neighborhoods remain safe, connected, and welcoming.
The trustee office is also unique in its ability to build community. By supporting local events, investing in public spaces, and ensuring resources are distributed fairly across neighborhoods, trustees help foster a sense of belonging.
Finally, trustees play a vital role as advocates. They bridge the gap between residents and county or state agencies, making sure that local voices are not lost in broader systems. In this way, the office is not just administrative but representative, giving residents a direct say in the future of their community.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2025 Elections
External links
Footnotes
