Kenny Yuko
Encyclopedia
Kenny Yuko is a Democratic
member of the Ohio House of Representatives
, representing the 7th District since his appointment in 2004. Prior to his time in the legislature, Yuko was a political and union activist for more than two decades.
and graduated from Brush High School
, before attending both Cuyahoga Community College
and Kent State University
. He began his career as a buyer for Polsky’s Department Store, and went on to the Laborers’ Local #860 for 30 years, including 25 years as union organizer. He retired from that service in 2004.
Yuko resides in Richmond Heights
with his wife, Pamela. They have two children, Angela and Rockey.
in 2004 to replace four term incumbent Ed Jerse
, who was facing term limits. In the 2004 primary, he faced Euclid resident Kent Smith, but won decisively, and went on to win easily in a safe Democratic seat. He won reelection easily in 2006, 2008, and 2010. Yuko served as Chairman of the Commerce and Labor Committee for the 128th General Assembly.
Yuko expressed great interest in obtaining an appointment to the Ohio Senate
after incumbent Lance Mason
resigned to take a judicial position. Ultimately, the appointment went to Senator Nina Turner
.
Sworn into his third term on January 3, 2011, Yuko is currently serving as the ranking member of the Commerce and Labor Committee, as well as a member of the Health and Aging Committee, and the Veterans Affairs Committee. He also is a member of the Unemployment Compensation Advisory Council; the Permanent Joint Committee on Gaming and Wagering; and the Joint Committee on Bingo and Skill Based Gaming.
A former union organizer
, Yuko is a staunch opponent of S.B. 5 and looks to lead the cause of a referendum
that will repeal the changes the bill would make upon passage. He believes the current act tramples the rights of workers.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the Ohio House of Representatives
Ohio House of Representatives
The Ohio House of Representatives is the lower house of the Ohio General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Ohio; the other house of the bicameral legislature being the Ohio Senate....
, representing the 7th District since his appointment in 2004. Prior to his time in the legislature, Yuko was a political and union activist for more than two decades.
Career
Yuko grew up in Euclid, OhioEuclid, Ohio
Euclid is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. It is part of the Greater Cleveland Metropolitan Area, and borders Cleveland. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 48,920...
and graduated from Brush High School
Brush High School
Brush High School may refer to:*Brush High School — Brush, Colorado*Charles F. Brush High School — Lyndhurst, Ohio*Brush Ranch School, Inc. — Terrero, New Mexico...
, before attending both Cuyahoga Community College
Cuyahoga Community College
Cuyahoga Community College is a two-year college in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Founded in 1962, Cuyahoga Community College is the oldest, and largest community college in Ohio with a Fall 2009 enrollment of 31,024. * http://www.tri-c.edu/news/Pages/20100823a.aspxIn August of 2010, the college reported...
and Kent State University
Kent State University
Kent State University is a public research university located in Kent, Ohio, United States. The university has eight campuses around the northeast Ohio region with the main campus in Kent being the largest...
. He began his career as a buyer for Polsky’s Department Store, and went on to the Laborers’ Local #860 for 30 years, including 25 years as union organizer. He retired from that service in 2004.
Yuko resides in Richmond Heights
Richmond Heights
Richmond Heights is the name of several places:United States*Richmond Heights, Florida*Richmond Heights, Missouri*Richmond Heights, Ohio*East Richmond Heights, California*Richmond Heights, Richmond, CaliforniaNew Zealand*Richmond Heights, Taupo...
with his wife, Pamela. They have two children, Angela and Rockey.
Ohio House of Representatives
Yuko first ran for the Ohio House of RepresentativesOhio House of Representatives
The Ohio House of Representatives is the lower house of the Ohio General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Ohio; the other house of the bicameral legislature being the Ohio Senate....
in 2004 to replace four term incumbent Ed Jerse
Ed Jerse
Edward S. Jerse of Euclid, Ohio, is an American politician of the Democratic party who served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives. In 2004, he ran for the Democratic nomination for U.S. representative for Ohio for the 14th congressional district , but lost to political novice Capri S...
, who was facing term limits. In the 2004 primary, he faced Euclid resident Kent Smith, but won decisively, and went on to win easily in a safe Democratic seat. He won reelection easily in 2006, 2008, and 2010. Yuko served as Chairman of the Commerce and Labor Committee for the 128th General Assembly.
Yuko expressed great interest in obtaining an appointment to the Ohio Senate
Ohio Senate
The Ohio State Senate is the upper house of the Ohio General Assembly, the legislative body for the U.S. state of Ohio. There are 33 State Senators. The state legislature meets in the state capital, Columbus. The President of the Senate presides over the body when in session, and is currently Tom...
after incumbent Lance Mason
Lance Mason
Lance T. Mason is a judge for the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas. He formerly was Democratic member of the Ohio Senate, and represented the 25th District from 2007 to 2008. Nina Turner currently represents his former district. Prior to that, he was a member of the Ohio House of...
resigned to take a judicial position. Ultimately, the appointment went to Senator Nina Turner
Nina Turner
Nina Turner is an Ohio State Senator representing the 25th District. The district encompasses the eastern side of Cuyahoga County.-External links:* official site...
.
Sworn into his third term on January 3, 2011, Yuko is currently serving as the ranking member of the Commerce and Labor Committee, as well as a member of the Health and Aging Committee, and the Veterans Affairs Committee. He also is a member of the Unemployment Compensation Advisory Council; the Permanent Joint Committee on Gaming and Wagering; and the Joint Committee on Bingo and Skill Based Gaming.
A former union organizer
Union organizer
A union organizer is a specific type of trade union member or an appointed union official. A majority of unions appoint rather than elect their organizers....
, Yuko is a staunch opponent of S.B. 5 and looks to lead the cause of a referendum
Referendum
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...
that will repeal the changes the bill would make upon passage. He believes the current act tramples the rights of workers.
External links
- The Ohio House of Representatives: Rep. Kenny Yuko (D-Euclid) official site
- KennyYuko.com official campaign site
- Follow the Money - Kenny Yuko