Randy Gardner (Ohio politician)
Encyclopedia
Randall L. Gardner is an American politician, currently a Republican
member of the Ohio House of Representatives
, representing the 6th District since 2008. He formerly held the same seat from 1985 to 2000, and was a member of the Ohio Senate
from 2001 to 2008. Gardner is currently the chairman of the Higher Education Subcommittee of the House Finance and Appropriations Committee.
With State Senator Bob Latta
not running for reelection to his seat, Gardner decided to run in 2000. He did, and in 2001, took his seat in the upper chamber. He quickly rose in the ranks, and served as President Pro-Tempore for the 125th General Assembly. In 2004, he faced weak opposition, and once again won his Senate bid. He served as Majority Leader for the 126th General Assembly and the 127th General Assembly.
With then-Senate President Doug White
facing term limits, Gardner and Senator Jeff Jacobson were looked at as two potential successors. However, by the end of 2003, Gardner had withdrew as a candidate, citing the desire to eliminate uncertainty in the caucus. Soon after, Jacobson in early 2004 became associated with a lobbying scandal, and Gardner once again emerged as a potential contender. In late Summer 2004, he once again withdrew, and gave his support to Bill Harris
, who went on to become President.
was found dead in his Washington D.C. area apartment, Gardner was mentioned as a potential successor, but on September 17, 2007, Gardner stated he was staying in the state legislature. When Bob Latta
ended up winning the Congressional race to succeed Gillmor, Latta's 6th District Ohio House seat became vacant. Gardner therefore resigned his Senate seat and was appointed early to the seat he was running for in the fall. He was subsequently placed as Ranking Member of the Higher Education Subcommittee of the Finance Committee.
Gardner was sworn into office for an eleventh term on January 3, 2011. With Republicans now in the majority, Gardner was tabbed to create the new House rules. He also will serve as Chairman of the Higher Education Subcommittee of the Finance and Appropriations Committee in the new General Assembly, as well as a member of the Health and Aging Committee, and the State Government and Elections Committee. Speaker of the House William G. Batchelder
has also named Gardner as a member of the Republican majority caucus' Policy Committee. He also serves on the Rules Advisory Committee; and the Midwestern Higher Education Commission.
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...
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 6th District since 2008. He formerly held the same seat from 1985 to 2000, and was a member of 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...
from 2001 to 2008. Gardner is currently the chairman of the Higher Education Subcommittee of the House Finance and Appropriations Committee.
Life and career
Gardner first entered Ohio politics in 1985, when he was appointed to a seat vacated by former State Representative Robert Brown. He went on to serve 7 more full terms in the House, until being term limited in 2000.With State Senator Bob Latta
Bob Latta
Robert Edward 'Bob' Latta is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2007. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district, the second-largest in the state, includes most of Toledo's suburbs, including Fremont and Bowling Green....
not running for reelection to his seat, Gardner decided to run in 2000. He did, and in 2001, took his seat in the upper chamber. He quickly rose in the ranks, and served as President Pro-Tempore for the 125th General Assembly. In 2004, he faced weak opposition, and once again won his Senate bid. He served as Majority Leader for the 126th General Assembly and the 127th General Assembly.
With then-Senate President Doug White
Doug White
Doug White of Manchester, Ohio, is an American politician of the Republican party who served as president of the Ohio Senate for two years, from 2003 to 2005....
facing term limits, Gardner and Senator Jeff Jacobson were looked at as two potential successors. However, by the end of 2003, Gardner had withdrew as a candidate, citing the desire to eliminate uncertainty in the caucus. Soon after, Jacobson in early 2004 became associated with a lobbying scandal, and Gardner once again emerged as a potential contender. In late Summer 2004, he once again withdrew, and gave his support to Bill Harris
Bill Harris (Ohio politician)
Bill Harris is a Republican politician, who served in the Ohio General Assembly, notably as President of the Ohio Senate from 2005 to 2010.-Life and career:...
, who went on to become President.
Return to the Ohio House of Representatives
Gardner made it evident half way through 2007 that he intended to run for his old House seat in 2008, when he faced term limits in the Senate. However, when Congressman Paul GillmorPaul Gillmor
Paul Eugene Gillmor was an American politician of the Republican Party who served as the U.S. Representative from the 5th congressional district of Ohio from 1989 until his death....
was found dead in his Washington D.C. area apartment, Gardner was mentioned as a potential successor, but on September 17, 2007, Gardner stated he was staying in the state legislature. When Bob Latta
Bob Latta
Robert Edward 'Bob' Latta is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2007. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district, the second-largest in the state, includes most of Toledo's suburbs, including Fremont and Bowling Green....
ended up winning the Congressional race to succeed Gillmor, Latta's 6th District Ohio House seat became vacant. Gardner therefore resigned his Senate seat and was appointed early to the seat he was running for in the fall. He was subsequently placed as Ranking Member of the Higher Education Subcommittee of the Finance Committee.
Gardner was sworn into office for an eleventh term on January 3, 2011. With Republicans now in the majority, Gardner was tabbed to create the new House rules. He also will serve as Chairman of the Higher Education Subcommittee of the Finance and Appropriations Committee in the new General Assembly, as well as a member of the Health and Aging Committee, and the State Government and Elections Committee. Speaker of the House William G. Batchelder
William G. Batchelder
William G. Batchelder, III is an American lawyer, judge, and politician from the U.S. state of Ohio. He is a Republican.He is the husband of Judge Alice Batchelder, currently a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.-Early life and education:Batchelder was born...
has also named Gardner as a member of the Republican majority caucus' Policy Committee. He also serves on the Rules Advisory Committee; and the Midwestern Higher Education Commission.
External links
- The Ohio House of Representatives: Representative Randy Gardner (R-Bowling Green) official site
- Project Vote Smart - Senator Randall 'Randy' Gardner (OH) profile
- Follow the Money - Randall Gardner