Ohio Senate
When incumbent Bob Spada was unable to run for another term in the Ohio Senate in 2008, Patton decided to give up a fourth term in the House to run for the seat. Unopposed in the primary, Patton went on to defeat Democrat Gary Kucinich, brother of Dennis Kucinich, in the general election with 68.39% of the vote. However, in an unusual turn of events, Spada resigned his seat two months prior to the end of his term in order to take an appointment from Governor Ted Strickland. Subsequently, Senate Republicans decided to seat Patton early, in order for the Senate to have adequate representation throughout the important lame duck session. He was seated in the Senate on November 18, 2008.
For the 128th General Assembly, Senate President Bill Harris appointed Patton as Chairman of Senate Transportation Committee, as well as a member of the Finance and Financial Institutions Committee, the Energy and Public Utilities Committee and the Ways and Means and Economic Development Committee. In the 129th General Assembly, Patton is serving as a member of the committees on Energy and Public Utilities; Finance; Highways and Transportation (as Chairman); and Ways and Means and Economic Development. He is also serving on the Ohio Rail Development Commission; the Ohio Turnpike Commission; the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact; and the Ohio Athletic Commission.
In 2012, Patton ran successfully for a second term, defeating Democrat Jennifer Brady with 59.16% of the vote.
Read more about this topic: Tom Patton
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