Air Force Veteran and Nurse Practitioner Jumps Into Race to Challenge Mike Turner in Ohio’s 10th District
The political landscape in Ohio’s 10th Congressional District is heating up as a well-credentialed challenger has officially joined the race against long-serving Republican incumbent Mike Turner. Kristina Knickerbocker, an Air Force veteran and nurse practitioner with deep ties to the Dayton area, announced her Democratic campaign this week, setting up a clash of candidates with strong military backgrounds in the heart of the “Birthplace of Aviation.”
Knickerbocker, a political newcomer from Yellow Springs, is hoping her dual professional experience—in uniform and in scrubs—will resonate with a district facing both economic and healthcare challenges. A former Major in the Air Force and the Air Force Reserve, Knickerbocker’s military service included working at the 88th Air Base Wing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Today, she works as a neuro-oncology nurse practitioner at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
In her launch video, Knickerbocker focused squarely on kitchen-table economics and the mounting strain of the American healthcare system. She spoke of seeing patients “lose their life savings because health care costs are too high,” citing her own experience of nearly dying from childbirth as evidence that the system is broken. This focus on affordability and the high cost of care aligns with a national Democratic strategy aiming to connect with voters on bread-and-butter issues.
She enters the race to challenge a formidable incumbent in Representative Mike Turner, a Republican who has represented the Dayton-area district since 2003, and previously served as the city’s mayor. Turner, an 11-term legislator, is a powerful figure on defense issues, serving as a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee and, until recently, as the Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.
Turner is well-known in the region for his consistent and successful advocacy on behalf of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the largest single-site employer in the state of Ohio. He frequently touts his work securing federal funding and jobs for WPAFB, a crucial issue for the thousands of families in Montgomery, Greene, and Clark counties that make up the 10th District.
This race is poised to become a test of whether a strong personal story and a focus on economic distress can overcome the incumbent’s deep roots and the district’s political lean. Despite the 10th District being considered a safe Republican seat—Turner won his last election by nearly 20 percentage points—national Democrats view Knickerbocker as an exciting recruit who represents their best chance in years.
Republicans, however, are dismissing the challenge, calling the national party’s excitement a “desperate spin.” With the incumbent focusing his re-election bid on national security, defense spending, and WPAFB’s critical role, the contest is now set: a veteran-vs-veteran battle with contrasting visions for the local economy and the nation’s health.