Max Dennis was a Republican

Ohio Republican Party

The Ohio Republican Party is the Ohio state affiliate of the United States Republican Party. It was founded in Columbus, Ohio on February 13, 1854. Kevin DeWine has been chairman of the Ohio GOP since 2009...

 politician who served in 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...

. An attorney from Wilmington, Ohio

Wilmington, Ohio

Wilmington is a city in and the county seat of Clinton County, Ohio, United States. The population was 12,520 at the 2010 census. At city entrances from state routes, county roads, and U.S. highways, the city slogan of "We Honor Our Champions" is seen, accompanied by signs that highlight various...

, Dennis was initially elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 1954 and served five terms. He moved over to the Senate in 1964, following an appointment. Following the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Dennis was reelected to a new district in 1966, and initially served as the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He again was reelected in 1968.

After winning reelection to another four-year term in 1972, Dennis was named Finance Chairman of the Senate, one of the most powerful Chairmanships. He served in this capacity until Democrats won control of the Senate in 1974.

In 1976, Dennis did not seek reelection, and was replaced by Democrat

Ohio Democratic Party

The Ohio Democratic Party is the Ohio affiliate to the United States Democratic Party. Former Ohio House Minority Leader Chris Redfern is the Ohio Democratic Party chairman. Redfern was elected to office in December 2005...

 John Mahoney. Following his tenure in the legislature, he returned to Wilmington and retired. He died on April 24, 1986.