Chris Widener

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search

<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>

For the author and speaker, see Chris Widener (author).
Chris Widener
Member of the Ohio Senate
from the 10th district
Assumed office
January 5, 2009
Preceded by Steve Austria
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the 84th district
In office
January 3, 2003-December 31, 2008
Preceded by Ron Rhine
Succeeded by Bob Hackett
In office
December 8, 1999-December 31, 2000
Preceded by Joe Haines
Succeeded by Merle G. Kearns
Personal details
Born (1963-08-22) August 22, 1963 (age 60)
Springfield, Ohio, U.S.
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Sally Widener (2 children)
Residence Springfield, Ohio, U.S.
Alma mater University of Cincinnati
Profession Architect
Religion Methodist

Christopher Widener (born August 22, 1963) is the President pro Tempore of the Ohio Senate, and represents the 10th Senate District, which includes Madison, Clark and Greene counties. Before the Senate, he served three terms non-consecutively in the Ohio House of Representatives. He is a Republican.

Career

After graduation from the University of Cincinnati, Widener served two terms on the Mad River-Greene Local Board of Education before starting his legislative career. His resume includes a stint as a civil service architect at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, where he also served as the base's first full-time historic preservation officer until 1989.

Widener was appointed to his first term as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives in 1999, but lost the party nomination to reelection to Merle G. Kearns, a prominent state Senator who was facing term limits. However, after redistricting occurred in 2002, Widener won a term beginning in 2003.

In the 2004 cycle, Widener again faced a primary challenge against fellow Republican Robert Rogers III. He defeated Rogers with 65% of the vote.[1] He easily won reelection in 2006 with 60% of the vote.

Ohio Senate

In 2008, Senator Steve Austria was term limited and running for Congress, and Widener declared his candidacy for his Senate seat. In the primary, he faced W. Reed Madden and James Howard, and won about 67% of the electorate.[2] In the general election, Widener faced Clark County Commissioner Roger Tackett.[3] While Democrats initially thought the district as potentially competitive, Widener won with 62% of the vote.[4]

Widener served as Chairman of the Energy & Public Utilities Committee in the 128th General Assembly, and in the 129th General Assembly, Senate President Tom Niehaus named Widener as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee,[5] [6] He also serves on the State Controlling Board;[7] and to the State Council on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. As Chairman of the Finance Committee, Widener played a leading role in shaping the biennium budget.[8] Widener was also a key player on the conference committee on the budget, where the budget was finished,[9] and helped to pass the final budget for 2012-2013.[10]

In 2012, Widener won reelection to a second term, defeating Jeff Robertson with 62% of the vote.[11] Widener has faced controversy for trying to shield public records related to Senate parking key cards.[12] For this and other reasons, the Cleveland Plain Dealer in an editorial named Widener the worst person in the Ohio General Assembly.[13]

Committee assignments

Electoral History

Ohio Senate 10th District: Results 2008 to 2012
Year Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct
2008 Roger Tackett 56,770 37.33% Chris Widener 95,324 62.67%
2012 Jeff Roberson 58,021 38.30% Chris Widener 93,472 61.70%
Ohio House 84th District: Results 2002 to 2006
Year Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct
2006 Connie Crockett 16,660 39.07% Chris Widener 25,978 60.93%
2004 William Eby 17,972 34.13% Chris Widener 34,598 65.87%
2002 Natalie Tackett 12,974 37.40% Chris Widener 21,730 62.60%

References

  1. ↑ Blackwell, Kenneth 2004 primary election results (2004-03-02)
  2. ↑ Brunner, Jennifer 2008 primary election (2008-03-04)
  3. ↑ Chris Widener, Republican Senate Candidate, Boasts About Tax Cuts, But How Will He Solve Ohio’s Budget Crisis?
  4. ↑ Brunner, Jennifer 2008 general election results (2008-11-04)
  5. ↑ Sen. Chris Widener to be Senate Finance Committee Chairman
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Widener named committee chair
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Husted, Jon 2012 general election results (2012-11-06)
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

Retrieved from "https://infogalactic.com/w/index.php?title=Chris_Widener&oldid=1749228"