| Charleta Tavares | |
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| Member of the Ohio Senate from the 15th district |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Ray Miller |
| Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 22nd district |
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| In office July 1, 1993-December 31, 1998 |
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| Preceded by | Ray Miller |
| Succeeded by | Ray Miller |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 10, 1955 Columbus, Ohio |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Columbus, Ohio |
| Alma mater | Spelman College, Ohio State University |
| Profession | Legislator |
| Religion | Christian |
Charleta Tavares is a member of the Ohio Senate, serving the Fifteenth District since 2011. She served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1993 to 1998.
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Tavares serves as executive director of Multiethnic Advocates for Cultural Competence. She ran twice for statewide office, including runs for secretary of state and lieutenant governor, as running mate to Tim Hagan. Tavares served three terms in the House, being appointed after Ray Miller resigned in 1993, and retired to allow Miller to run again for the House in 1998.
Following her time in the House, Tavares served on Columbus City Council from 1999-2010.
With House predecessor (and successor) Ray Miller term limited, Tavares, political newcomer Oyango Snell and Representative Dan Stewart sought to replace him.[1] While the race was contentious, Sen. Miller and the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus backed Ms. Tavares. Tavares won the nomination, securing 52% of the vote.[2] She won the general election against Republican Alicia Healy by 40,000 votes.[3]
On January 3, 2011, Tavares was sworn in as Senator from the Fifteenth District. She sits on the committees of Education; Government Oversight and Reform; Health, Human Services and Aging; State and Local Government and Veterans Affairs (as ranking member); and Ways and Means and Economic Development (as ranking member). She also serves on the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood; the Ohio Commission on Hispanic and Latino Affairs; and the Ohio Retirement Study Council.
Tavares has historically been pro choice, and opted to amend an abortion measure that bans late term abortions. Wanting to allow later term abortions for rape or incest situations, her amendment was ultimately tabled in committee, and the bill was later passed.[4]
With Governor John Kasich failing to include any minorities within his cabinet, Tavares has become vocal about the harm it could bring to Ohio.[5]
Tavares voted against a measure that would have allowed individuals with concealed carry licenses to have their weapons in bars and restaurants. She stated she was listening to the concerns of police officers and deputy sheriffs.[6] She has stated that even if weapon holders aren't drinking, mixed weapons and alcohol is not a good idea.[7]
While Tavares has stated she would be willing to increase the threshold on the minimum amount subjected to the estate tax, particularly on farmers, she will not back an outright repeal at a time when local governments face deep cuts in Gov. John Kasich's two-year, $55.5 billion budget. Senator Kris Jordan introduced legislation to repeal the estate tax.[8]
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