Lou Gentile

Lou Gentile
Member of the Ohio Senate
from the 30th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
December 15, 2011
Preceded by Jason Wilson
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the 95th district
In office
January 3, 2011 – December 15, 2011
Preceded by John Domenick
Succeeded by Jack Cera
Personal details
Born July 28, 1979[1]
Steubenville, Ohio
Political party Democratic
Residence Steubenville, Ohio
Alma mater West Virginia University (B.S.)
Profession Legislator
Religion Catholic

Louis Gentile (born July 28, 1979) is the state Senator for the 30th District of the Ohio Senate. Previously he was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, serving briefly in 2011 prior to his appointment to the Senate. His district is one of the largest in Ohio stretching from Carrollton, Ohio all the way to Athens, Ohio and encompassing much of the Ohio Valley. Gentile currently serves as Assistant Minority Whip. He is a Democrat.[2]

Life and career

Gentile was born and raised in Steubenville, Ohio on the Ohio River. He attended Steubenville Catholic Central High School and subsequently West Virginia University. After graduation from college, Gentile returned home to Jefferson County and joined the Ted Strickland for Congress campaign as field director. He continued his service with Congressman Strickland serving as his representative to constituents in Jefferson, Belmont, Noble and Monroe counties.

After Strickland won election as Governor of Ohio, Gentile was appointed Assistant Director of the Governor’s Office of Appalachia in January 2007, and served until 2010.

With incumbent John Domenick unable to run again due to term limits, Gentile opted to replace him. He faced four others in the primary election, and received 52.41% of the electorate to win the nomination.[3] He faced Republican Mark Clark in the general election, and won with 66.25% of the vote.[4]

Ohio Senate

In late 2011, Senator Jason Wilson resigned from his seat in the Ohio Senate to take become Director of the Governor's Office of Appalachia under Ohio Governor John Kasich. As a result, Senate Democrats were required to appoint a successor to the seat.[5] Gentile was the Senate Democrats top pick to fill the position.

It was announced in early December that Gentile was chosen for the seat. He was sworn into office on December 15, 2011.[6] Gentile was elected to a full term in the Senate in 2012, defeating Republican Shane Thompson 53% to 47%,[7] even though he was the GOP's top target and the GOP spent over $1 million to defeat him. Gentile raised about $800,000.[8]

When Senator Joe Schiavoni was named Minority Leader in 2014, Gentile was named as a member of his leadership team, serving as Assistant Minority Whip.

Committee assignments

Electoral history

Ohio Senate 30th District: Results 2012
Year Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct
2012 Lou Gentile 82,403 52.39% Shane Thompson 74,884 47.61%
Ohio House of Representatives 95th District: Results 2010
Year Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct Independent Votes Pct
2010 Lou Gentile 23,213 66.25% None Mark Clark 11,824 33.75%

References

  1. ↑ http://www.aedaction.org/voter-resources/official/292450/Lou/Gentile
  2. ↑ Lou Gentile Chosen to Replace Jason Wilson, wkbn.com, November 30, 2011
  3. ↑ 2010 primary election results
  4. ↑ 2010 general election results
  5. ↑ "State Sen. Wilson resigns to lead Appalachia agency". Youngstown Vindicator. 2011-11-19. Retrieved 2012-01-03.
  6. ↑ "Lou Gentile Chosen to Replace Wilson". Youngstown Vindicator. 2011-11-30. Retrieved 2012-01-03.
  7. ↑ Husted, Jon 2012 general election results (2012-11-06)
  8. ↑ "2 Dems consider 2014 run for Congress". Vindy.com.

External links