Faber Elected President of the Ohio Senate

Release:

(Columbus) –Members of the Senate Majority Caucus today unanimously elected Senator Keith Faber (R-Celina) to serve as President of the Ohio Senate for the 130th General Assembly.

President-elect Faber is the first Senate President to serve from Mercer County. He was elected to the Ohio Senate in 2007 and has served in leadership since 2009, first as Majority Floor Leader and most currently as President Pro Tempore – the chamber’s number two position. Prior to serving in the Ohio Senate, Senator Faber served three consecutive terms in the Ohio House of Representatives.

"I'm humbled and honored to have the confidence of my colleagues in leading one of the most respected legislative institutions in the nation," said Faber. "I look forward to building on the progress we've already made in revitalizing our economy and getting Ohioans back to work. That will continue to be priority number one in the next General Assembly."

Senator Faber will assume his role as Senate President January 7, 2013 along with Senator Chris Widener (R-Springfield) who was unanimously elected President Pro Tempore; Senator Tom Patton (R-Strongsville) reelected as Majority Floor Leader, and Senator Larry Obhof (R-Medina) who was named Majority Whip.

Senator Widener has served in the Ohio Senate since 2009. He currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, which is responsible for helping craft the state budget and overseeing other state-related fiscal matters. Before coming to the Senate, Senator Widener served as three terms as state representative. An architect by trade, he and his wife live in Springfield with their two children.

First appointed to the Ohio Senate in 2008, Senator Patton has a long history of serving the people of Cuyahoga County, having served six years in the Ohio House of Representatives. He has held the post of Majority Floor Leader since September 2011. A widower, he raised his family of five daughters and one son in Strongsville.

Senator Obhof was appointed to the 22nd Ohio Senate District last year, and has focused his legislative efforts on improving Ohio’s economy and creating opportunities for job growth. A graduate of The Ohio State University and Yale Law School, Obhof also works as an attorney with the national law firm Baker & Hostetler. He lives in Medina with his wife and three daughters.

Senator Faber represents the 12th Senate District, including Allen, a portion of Auglaize, Champaign, a portion of Darke, Mercer, Preble and Shelby counties. Outside his legislative duties, Faber is the principal partner in the law firm Faber and Associates. He and his wife Andrea live outside Celina in Mercer with their two children.