Notable personal detailsJohn R. Butchko is a retired United Methodist Church elder who ran as a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House in Ohio’s 7th Congressional District in 2026. He served for decades as a pastor in multiple United Methodist conferences, including the East Ohio Conference, and has held appointments at congregations including Westlake UMC and Brunswick UMC. In the May 5, 2026 Democratic primary for OH-07, he received 904 votes (1.45%) and did not win the nomination.