Kristina Knickerbocker

A Fierce Air Force Veteran

Kristina Knickerbocker is a U.S. Air Force veteran, oncology nurse practitioner, and mom of two whose life has been defined by service to her country and her community. Growing up active in church and volunteering at local food pantries, Kristina learned the value of compassion and hard work early, juggling multiple jobs to put herself through school. Inspired by her grandmother, she pursued nursing before answering a greater call and joining the Air Force.

She spent a decade serving at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. As a major in the 88th Air Base Wing, she led medical teams improving care for active-duty service members, veterans, and military families, strengthening both health outcomes and military readiness. She later served with the 445th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, supporting deployment readiness for military and humanitarian missions — continuing her commitment to those who protect our freedoms.

A Champion for Better Health Care and Ohio Families

While serving in the Air Force Reserves, Kristina worked at The Ohio State University Medical Center as a neuro-oncology nurse practitioner, caring for cancer patients across the region. There she witnessed the failures of the health care system firsthand, from understaffed facilities, skyrocketing premiums, and patients forced to choose between life-saving treatment and everyday necessities. Her advocacy became deeply personal when serious pregnancy complications nearly cost her life after medical professionals failed to listen to her concerns. That experience reinforced her belief that patients must be heard and that the system too often puts insurance company profits ahead of patient care. Kristina believes every American deserves affordable, accessible health care at every stage of life and is committed to lowering costs, expanding access, and ensuring families never have to choose between their health and their financial stability.

Kristina is running for Congress because she sees families struggling with rising costs, inaccessible care, and a system that isn’t working for them. Guided by her faith and her experience caring for patients and military families, she is committed to policies that lower costs, support parents, and create a better future for children. She believes veterans and service members deserve the highest quality of life and real support when they return home.

A Critical Flip in OH-10

Kristina Knickerbocker is running for Ohio’s 10th Congressional District against Republican Rep. Mike Turner. Kristina is stepping forward to bring practical experience, compassion, and real-world problem solving to Washington so government finally works for patients, parents, and working families, not powerful interests. The path to take back the U.S. House runs through bold leaders like Kristina, and EMILYs List is proud to support her and recognize Ohio’s 10th Congressional District as a critical flip in our Mission Majority initiative.