Mark Wagoner

Mark Wagoner
Member of the Ohio Senate
from the 2nd district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 15, 2008
Preceded by Randy Gardner
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the 46th district
In office
January 3, 2005-January 15, 2008
Preceded by Lynn Olman
Succeeded by Barbara Sears
Personal details
Born September 18, 1971 (1971-09-18) (age 40)
Toledo, Ohio
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Merideth
Residence Ottawa Hills, Ohio
Alma mater Georgetown University, Ohio State University
Profession Attorney
Religion Christian

Mark D. Wagoner, Jr. (born September 18, 1971) is an American politician, who is a Republican member of the Ohio Senate, representing all of Wood and Erie counties and portions of Ottawa and Lucas counties. Wagoner previously served in the Ohio House of Representatives. He is serving as the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

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Career

Wagoner is a lifetime resident of the Toledo, Ohio area and graduated from Ottawa Hills High School. Wagoner obtained degrees from both Georgetown University and the Ohio State University before practicing law in the Toledo area. He is a partner as Shumaker, Loop and Kendrick L.L.P.

With incumbent Lynn Olman term limited and unable to run for a fifth term, Wagoner entered the race for the 46th District of the Ohio House of Representatives in 2004. He was unopposed in the primary election, and faced Nancy Patrick Greeley in the fall.[1] He won the race easily. He was reelected to his seat in 2006.

Ohio Senate

Wagoner was originally mentioned as a potential successor to state Senator Randy Gardner late in 2007. However, his move to the Ohio Senate was expedited when Congressman Paul Gillmor unexpectedly died. This set off a set of legislative switches where Representative Bob Latta was elected to Gillmor's Congressional seat, allowing term-limited Senator Gardner to fill his former Ohio House seat. Therefore, with the 2nd Senate seat now vacant, Wagoner was appointed early to the seat he was seeking.

Wagoner faced two others in the 2008 primary election, but won with over 74% of the vote. He faced Democrat Jackie Brown in the general election, but again won easily.

Following his election to the Senate, Wagoner was elected Majority Whip by his colleagues. However, early in 2010, Wagoner resigned his post and was replaced by Senator Steve Buehrer. Wagoner cited personal and professional problems as the reason for him leaving his post, but many cite his controversial speech in support of Governor Ted Strickland's postponement of income tax cuts.[2]

For the 129th General Assembly, Wagoner is serving on the committees of Rules and Reference; Judiciary-Civil Justice (as Chairman; and Judiciary-Criminal Justice. He also serves on the War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission. Wagoner has stated that he will not seek reelection in 2012.

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