Marian Harris
Encyclopedia
Marian Harris is a Democratic
politician who served in the Ohio House of Representatives
. A former educator and aide to United States Senator Howard Metzenbaum
, Harris was retired when she ran against Representative Larry L. Flowers
in 2006 for a seat in the Ohio House of Representatives. Although unsuccessful in her first attempt, Harris performed better than what was expected, coming very close to ousting Flowers. As a result, she tried again for the seat two years later, in 2008.
With Flowers out of the seat due to term limits, Harris was seen as a potential victor in obtaining a seat that had been held long by Republicans
, including former Republican Speaker of the House Jo Ann Davidson
. Harris faced newcomer Brad Lewis, in the general election, in what became a very contested race. The race wasn't decided until a month after election day. After all provisional ballots had been tallied, Harris was announced the winner over Lewis by 735 votes. She went on to take her seat on January 5, 2009.
In the House, Harris was often one of the more liberal members of the delegation, supporting labor
, anti-bias, and other Democratic initiatives. As a result, Harris quickly became a top tier target for Republicans for the 2010 cycle. For their candidate, Republicans ran Anne Gonzales
a popular mayor of Westerville, Ohio
with conservative credentials. Again, Harris was in one of the more contested and closest watched races of the year.
Within an overwhelmingly Republican year, Harris was defeated by Gonzales, and the Democrats lost their majority in the Ohio House. As a result, Harris was a one-term Representative.
Following her defeat, Harris remained in Columbus, where she is retired.
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...
politician who served in 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....
. A former educator and aide to United States Senator Howard Metzenbaum
Howard Metzenbaum
Howard Morton Metzenbaum was an American politician who served for almost 20 years as a Democratic member of the U.S. Senate from Ohio . He also served in the Ohio House of Representatives and Senate from 1943 to 1951.-Early life:Metzenbaum was born in Cleveland, to a poor Jewish family, the son...
, Harris was retired when she ran against Representative Larry L. Flowers
Larry L. Flowers
Larry L. Flowers is a former Republican member of the Ohio House of Representatives, representing the 19th District from 2001-2008. He currently is serving as the fire marshal for the state of Ohio.-External links:* official OH House website* profile...
in 2006 for a seat in the Ohio House of Representatives. Although unsuccessful in her first attempt, Harris performed better than what was expected, coming very close to ousting Flowers. As a result, she tried again for the seat two years later, in 2008.
With Flowers out of the seat due to term limits, Harris was seen as a potential victor in obtaining a seat that had been held long by Republicans
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, including former Republican Speaker of the House Jo Ann Davidson
Jo Ann Davidson
Jo Ann Davidson is the chair of the Ohio Casino Control Commission and was Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1995–2000....
. Harris faced newcomer Brad Lewis, in the general election, in what became a very contested race. The race wasn't decided until a month after election day. After all provisional ballots had been tallied, Harris was announced the winner over Lewis by 735 votes. She went on to take her seat on January 5, 2009.
In the House, Harris was often one of the more liberal members of the delegation, supporting labor
Labour movement
The term labour movement or labor movement is a broad term for the development of a collective organization of working people, to campaign in their own interest for better treatment from their employers and governments, in particular through the implementation of specific laws governing labour...
, anti-bias, and other Democratic initiatives. As a result, Harris quickly became a top tier target for Republicans for the 2010 cycle. For their candidate, Republicans ran Anne Gonzales
Anne Gonzales
Anne Gonzales is a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, representing the Nineteenth District since 2011.-Career:After graduating from Otterbein University, Gonzales worked as a paralegal before returning home to raise children...
a popular mayor of Westerville, Ohio
Westerville, Ohio
Westerville, once known as "The Dry Capital of the World", is a city in Franklin and Delaware counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. The population was 35,318 at the 2000 census.-Early history:...
with conservative credentials. Again, Harris was in one of the more contested and closest watched races of the year.
Within an overwhelmingly Republican year, Harris was defeated by Gonzales, and the Democrats lost their majority in the Ohio House. As a result, Harris was a one-term Representative.
Following her defeat, Harris remained in Columbus, where she is retired.