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{{short description|American politician}}
{{Infobox State Senator
{{for|the author and speaker|Chris Widener (author)}}
| image =
| name=Chris Widener
| image name=
| state_senate=Ohio
| state=Ohio
| district=10th
| term_start=January 5, 2009
| preceded=[[Steve Austria]]
| succeeded=Incumbent
| state_house2=Ohio
| state2=Ohio
| district2=84th
| term2=January 3, 2003-December 31, 2008
| preceded2=[[Ron Rhine]]
| succeeded2=[[Bob Hackett]]
| term3=December 8, 1999-December 31, 2000
| preceded3=[[Joe Haines (Ohio)|Joe Haines]]
| succeeded3=[[Merle G. Kearns]]
| date of birth= {{birth date and age|1963|08|22}}
| place of birth= [[Springfield, Ohio]]
| date of death=
| place of death=
| party=[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| spouse=Sally Widener
| residence=[[Springfield, Ohio]]
| alma_mater=[[University of Cincinnati]]
| profession=Architect
| religion= [[Methodist]]
|}}


{{Infobox officeholder
'''Chris Widener''' is a member of the [[Ohio Senate]]. Widener represents the 10th Senate District, which includes Madison, Clark and Greene counties. Before the Senate, he served three terms in the [[Ohio House of Representatives]]. Currently, he is serving as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.
| name = Chris Widener
| image name =
| state_senate = Ohio
| state = Ohio
| district = [[Ohio's 10th senatorial district|10th]]
| term_start = January 5, 2009
| term_end = January 21, 2016
| preceded = [[Steve Austria]]
| succeeded = [[Bob Hackett]]
| state_house2 = Ohio
| state2 = Ohio
| district2 = 84th
| term2 = January 3, 2003 – December 31, 2008
| preceded2 = [[Ron Rhine]]
| succeeded2 = [[Bob Hackett]]
| term3 = December 8, 1999 – December 31, 2000
| preceded3 = [[Joe Haines (Ohio)|Joe Haines]]
| succeeded3 = [[Merle G. Kearns]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1963|08|22}}
| birth_place = [[Springfield, Ohio]], [[United States|U.S.]]
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| spouse = Sally Widener (2 children)
| residence = [[Springfield, Ohio]], [[United States|U.S.]]
| alma_mater = [[University of Cincinnati]]
| profession = Architect
| image = Chris Widener - District 10 - Ohio Senate 130th General Assemby 2013-2014 - DPLA - 4dd33bcc8c6b71853ab731d33616f568 (page 19) (cropped).jpg
}}

'''Christopher Widener''' (born August 22, 1963) was the [[President pro Tempore]] of the [[Ohio Senate]], and represented the 10th Senate District, which includes [[Madison County, Ohio|Madison]], [[Clark County, Ohio|Clark]] and [[Greene County, Ohio|Greene]] counties. Before the Senate, he served three terms non-consecutively in the [[Ohio House of Representatives]]. He is a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]].


==Career==
==Career==
After graduation from the [[University of Cincinnati]], Widener served two terms on the Mad River-Greene Local Board of Education before starting his legislative career. His resume includes a stint as a civil service architect at [[Wright-Patterson Air Force Base]], where he also served as the base's first full-time historic preservation officer.
After graduation from the [[University of Cincinnati]], Widener served two terms on the Mad River-Greene Local Board of Education before starting his legislative career. His resume includes a stint as a civil service architect at [[Wright-Patterson Air Force Base]], where he also served as the base's first full-time historic preservation officer until 1989.


Widener was appointed to his first term as a member of the [[Ohio House of Representatives]] in 1999, however, he lost his primary bid for reelection to [[Merle G. Kearns]], a prominent state Senator who was facing term limits. However, after redistricting occurred in 2002, Widener was able to make a comeback, and won a term beginning in 2003.
Widener was appointed to his first term as a member of the [[Ohio House of Representatives]] in 1999, but lost the party nomination to reelection to [[Merle G. Kearns]], a prominent state Senator who was facing term limits. However, after redistricting occurred in 2002, Widener won a term beginning in 2003.

In the 2004 cycle, Widener again faced a primary challenge against fellow Republican Robert Rogers III. He defeated Rogers with 65% of the vote.<ref>Blackwell, Kenneth [http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/electResultsMain/2004ElectionsResults/04-0302RepOHReps.aspx 2004 primary election results] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227153449/http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/electResultsMain/2004ElectionsResults/04-0302RepOHReps.aspx |date=2010-12-27 }} (2004-03-02)</ref> He easily won reelection in 2006 with 60% of the vote.

In January 2016, Widener announced his retirement after nearly two decades of public service.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://ohiosenate.gov/widener/press/widener-announces-plans-to-retire-after-more-than-two-decades-of-public-service |title=Widener Announces Plans To Retire After More Than Two Decades Of Public Service |work=The Ohio Senate |location=Columbus |date=2016-01-21 |accessdate=2016-01-28 }}{{dead link|date=August 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>


In the 2004 cycle, Widener again faced a primary challenge against fellow Republican Robert Rogers III. In the end, he successfully fended of Rogers, winning by about 10,000 votes.<ref>[http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/electResultsMain/2004ElectionsResults/04-0302RepOHReps.aspx 2004 primary election results]</ref> He easily won reelection in 2006.
==Ohio Senate==
==Ohio Senate==
With incumbent [[Steve Austria]] term limited and running for Congress, Widener declared his candidacy for the seat in 2008. In the primary, he faced W. Reed Madden and James Howard, but ended up winning about 67% of the electorate.<ref>[http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/electResultsMain/2008ElectionResults/prohsen.aspx 2008 primary election]</ref> In the general Widener faced [[Clark County]] Commissioner Roger Tackett.<ref>[http://daytonos.com/?p=3647 Chris Widener, Republican Senate Candidate, Boasts About Tax Cuts, But How Will He Solve Ohio’s Budget Crisis?]</ref> While Democrats initially thought the district as potentially competitive, Widener won by 39,000 votes.<ref>[http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/electResultsMain/2008ElectionResults/ohSenate_110408.aspx 2008 general election results]</ref>
In 2008, Senator [[Steve Austria]] was term limited and running for Congress, and Widener declared his candidacy for his Senate seat. In the primary, he faced W. Reed Madden and James Howard, and won about 67% of the electorate.<ref>Brunner, Jennifer [http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/electResultsMain/2008ElectionResults/prohsen.aspx 2008 primary election] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227153142/http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/electResultsMain/2008ElectionResults/prohsen.aspx |date=2010-12-27 }} (2008-03-04)</ref> In the general election, Widener faced [[Clark County, Ohio|Clark County]] Commissioner Roger Tackett.<ref>[http://daytonos.com/?p=3647 Chris Widener, Republican Senate Candidate, Boasts About Tax Cuts, But How Will He Solve Ohio’s Budget Crisis?]</ref> While Democrats initially thought the district as potentially competitive, Widener won with 62% of the vote.<ref>Brunner, Jennifer [http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/electResultsMain/2008ElectionResults/ohSenate_110408.aspx 2008 general election results] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228101820/http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/electResultsMain/2008ElectionResults/ohSenate_110408.aspx |date=2011-02-28 }} (2008-11-04)</ref>


Widener served as Chairman of the Energy & Public Utilities Committee in the 128th General Assembly. In the 129th General Assembly, Senate President [[Tom Niehaus]] has named Widener as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee,<ref>[http://www.daytondailynews.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/ohiopolitics/entries/2010/12/03/sen_chris_widener_to_be_senate.html Sen. Chris Widener to be Senate Finance Committee Chairman]</ref> as well as a member of the Senate Rules and Reference Committee; Government Oversight and Reform Committee; and Ways and Means and Economic Development Committee.<ref>[http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/ohio-news/areas-state-lawmakers-take-leadership-spots-1055779.html?cxtype=rss_ece_frontpage Area’s state lawmakers take leadership spots]</ref> He is also serving on the Controlling Board.<ref>[http://www.daytondailynews.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/ohiopolitics/entries/2011/01/27/widener_lehner_named_senate_co.html?cxtype=feedbot Widener named committee chair]</ref>
Widener served as Chairman of the Energy & Public Utilities Committee in the 128th General Assembly, and in the 129th General Assembly, Senate President [[Tom Niehaus]] named Widener as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee,<ref>[http://www.daytondailynews.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/ohiopolitics/entries/2010/12/03/sen_chris_widener_to_be_senate.html Sen. Chris Widener to be Senate Finance Committee Chairman]</ref><ref>{{cite news | first = William | last = Hershey | title = Area's state lawmakers take leadership spots | date = 2011-01-16 | url = http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/ohio-news/areas-state-lawmakers-take-leadership-spots-1055779.html?cxtype=rss_ece_frontpage | work = [[Dayton Daily News]] | accessdate = 2011-04-18}}</ref> He also serves on the State Controlling Board;<ref>[http://www.daytondailynews.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/ohiopolitics/entries/2011/01/27/widener_lehner_named_senate_co.html?cxtype=feedbot Widener named committee chair]</ref> and to the State Council on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. As Chairman of the Finance Committee, Widener played a leading role in shaping the biennium budget.<ref>{{cite news | first = Joe | last = Vardon | author2 = Jim Siegel | title = Is state's jobs entity really needed? | date = 2011-04-18 | url = http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/04/17/copy/is-jobs-entity-really-needed.html?adsec=politics&sid=101 | work = [[Columbus Dispatch]] | accessdate = 2011-04-18 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110614110532/http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/04/17/copy/is-jobs-entity-really-needed.html?adsec=politics&sid=101 | archive-date = 2011-06-14 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Widener was also a key player on the conference committee on the budget, where the budget was finished,<ref>{{cite news | first = Joe | last = Guillen | title = State budget conference committee passes unified budget on party-line vote | date = 2011-06-29 | url = http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2011/06/state_budget_conference_commit.html | work = [[The Plain Dealer]] | accessdate = 2011-06-28}}</ref> and helped to pass the final budget for 2012-2013.<ref>{{cite news | first = Julie | last = Carr Smyth | title = State Senate passes budget that will change Ohio | date = 2011-06-29 | url = http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/06/28/state-senate-passes-budget.html?sid=101 | work = [[Columbus Dispatch]] | accessdate = 2011-06-29 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110701105020/http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/06/28/state-senate-passes-budget.html?sid=101 | archive-date = 2011-07-01 | url-status = dead }}</ref>


In 2012, Widener won reelection to a second term, defeating Jeff Robertson with 62% of the vote.<ref>Husted, Jon [https://archive.today/20121204180223/http://www2.sos.state.oh.us/pls/enrpublic/f?p=212:17:1619888371307304::NO::P17_OTC:SE 2012 general election results] (2012-11-06)</ref> Widener has faced controversy for trying to shield public records related to Senate parking key cards.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://ohiopolitics.blog.daytondailynews.com/2015/01/08/widener-orders-garage-passes-that-would-limit-public-accountability/ |title=Widener orders garage passes that would limit public accountability |work=Dayton Daily News |location=Dayton |date=2015-01-08 |accessdate=2015-01-09 }}</ref> For this and other reasons, the [[Cleveland Plain Dealer]] in an editorial named Widener the worst person in the [[Ohio General Assembly]].<ref name="urlFor childish attempt to impede publics right to know, Chris Widener is Ohio legislatures Worst Person: Brent Larkin | cleveland.com">{{cite web | url = http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/01/for_childish_attempt_to_stoppe.html | title = For childish attempt to impede public's right to know, Chris Widener is Ohio legislature's Worst Person: Brent Larkin &#124; cleveland.com | author = | author-link = | date = 23 January 2015| publisher = | pages = | language = | quote = | accessdate = 2015-01-23}}</ref>
==Policies, platforms and initiatives==
With [[Wright Patterson Air Force Base]] and the [[National Museum of the U.S. Air Force]] in Widener's district, he has introduced a proposal to bring a retired [[space shuttle]] to the area after they are taken out of commission. The shuttle ultimately was not chosen to come to [[Ohio]].


===Committee assignments===
A Chairman of the Finance Committee, Widener will plays a leading role in shaping the biennium budget. Notable issues will include local government, education, and the privatization measure JobsOhio.<ref> {{cite news | first = Joe | last = Vardon | coauthors = Jim Siegel | title = Is state's jobs entity really needed? | date = 2011-04-18 | url = http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/04/17/copy/is-jobs-entity-really-needed.html?adsec=politics&sid=101 | work = [[Columbus Dispatch]] | accessdate = 2011-04-18}}</ref>
*'''[[Ohio Senate Committees#Rules|Committee on Rules]]'''

==Electoral history==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%"
|+ Ohio Senate 10th District: Results 2008 to 2012
!|Year
!
!|Democrat
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
|-
|2008
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Roger Tackett
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |56,770
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |37.33%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Chris Widener'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |95,324
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |62.67%
|-
|2012
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Jeff Roberson
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |58,021
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |38.30%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Chris Widener'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |93,472
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |61.70%
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%"
|+ Ohio House 84th District: Results 2002 to 2006
!|Year
!
!|Democrat
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
|-
|2006
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Connie Crockett
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |16,660
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |39.07%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Chris Widener'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |25,978
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |60.93%
|-
|2004
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |William Eby
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |17,972
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |34.13%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Chris Widener'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |34,598
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |65.87%
|-
|2002
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |Natalie Tackett
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |12,974
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |37.40%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |'''Chris Widener'''
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |21,730
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |62.60%
|}


==External links==
*[http://www.ohiosenate.gov/chris-widener.html The Ohio Senate: Senator Chris Widener (R-Springfield)] ''official website''
==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist|colwidth=55em}}
{{Members of the Ohio Senate}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME =Widener, Chris
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
| DATE OF BIRTH =August 22, 1963
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Widener, Chris}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Widener, Chris}}
[[Category:1963 births]]
[[Category:1963 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Ohio Republicans]]
[[Category:Republican Party members of the Ohio House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Members of the Ohio House of Representatives]]
[[Category:21st-century members of the Ohio General Assembly]]
[[Category:Ohio State Senators]]
[[Category:Republican Party Ohio state senators]]
[[Category:University of Cincinnati alumni]]

Latest revision as of 22:38, 2 December 2024

For the author and speaker, see Chris Widener (author).
Chris Widener
Member of the Ohio Senate
from the 10th district
In office
January 5, 2009 – January 21, 2016
Preceded bySteve Austria
Succeeded byBob Hackett
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the 84th district
In office
January 3, 2003 – December 31, 2008
Preceded byRon Rhine
Succeeded byBob Hackett
In office
December 8, 1999 – December 31, 2000
Preceded byJoe Haines
Succeeded byMerle G. Kearns
Personal details
Born (1963-08-22) August 22, 1963 (age 61)
Springfield, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseSally Widener (2 children)
Residence(s)Springfield, Ohio, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Cincinnati
ProfessionArchitect

Christopher Widener (born August 22, 1963) was the President pro Tempore of the Ohio Senate, and represented the 10th Senate District, which includes Madison, Clark and Greene counties. Before the Senate, he served three terms non-consecutively in the Ohio House of Representatives. He is a Republican.

Career

[edit]

After graduation from the University of Cincinnati, Widener served two terms on the Mad River-Greene Local Board of Education before starting his legislative career. His resume includes a stint as a civil service architect at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, where he also served as the base's first full-time historic preservation officer until 1989.

Widener was appointed to his first term as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives in 1999, but lost the party nomination to reelection to Merle G. Kearns, a prominent state Senator who was facing term limits. However, after redistricting occurred in 2002, Widener won a term beginning in 2003.

In the 2004 cycle, Widener again faced a primary challenge against fellow Republican Robert Rogers III. He defeated Rogers with 65% of the vote.[1] He easily won reelection in 2006 with 60% of the vote.

In January 2016, Widener announced his retirement after nearly two decades of public service.[2]

Ohio Senate

[edit]

In 2008, Senator Steve Austria was term limited and running for Congress, and Widener declared his candidacy for his Senate seat. In the primary, he faced W. Reed Madden and James Howard, and won about 67% of the electorate.[3] In the general election, Widener faced Clark County Commissioner Roger Tackett.[4] While Democrats initially thought the district as potentially competitive, Widener won with 62% of the vote.[5]

Widener served as Chairman of the Energy & Public Utilities Committee in the 128th General Assembly, and in the 129th General Assembly, Senate President Tom Niehaus named Widener as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee,[6][7] He also serves on the State Controlling Board;[8] and to the State Council on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. As Chairman of the Finance Committee, Widener played a leading role in shaping the biennium budget.[9] Widener was also a key player on the conference committee on the budget, where the budget was finished,[10] and helped to pass the final budget for 2012-2013.[11]

In 2012, Widener won reelection to a second term, defeating Jeff Robertson with 62% of the vote.[12] Widener has faced controversy for trying to shield public records related to Senate parking key cards.[13] For this and other reasons, the Cleveland Plain Dealer in an editorial named Widener the worst person in the Ohio General Assembly.[14]

Committee assignments

[edit]

Electoral history

[edit]
Ohio Senate 10th District: Results 2008 to 2012
Year Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct
2008 Roger Tackett 56,770 37.33% Chris Widener 95,324 62.67%
2012 Jeff Roberson 58,021 38.30% Chris Widener 93,472 61.70%
Ohio House 84th District: Results 2002 to 2006
Year Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct
2006 Connie Crockett 16,660 39.07% Chris Widener 25,978 60.93%
2004 William Eby 17,972 34.13% Chris Widener 34,598 65.87%
2002 Natalie Tackett 12,974 37.40% Chris Widener 21,730 62.60%

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Blackwell, Kenneth 2004 primary election results Archived 2010-12-27 at the Wayback Machine (2004-03-02)
  2. ^ "Widener Announces Plans To Retire After More Than Two Decades Of Public Service". The Ohio Senate. Columbus. 2016-01-21. Retrieved 2016-01-28.[permanent dead link‍]
  3. ^ Brunner, Jennifer 2008 primary election Archived 2010-12-27 at the Wayback Machine (2008-03-04)
  4. ^ Chris Widener, Republican Senate Candidate, Boasts About Tax Cuts, But How Will He Solve Ohio’s Budget Crisis?
  5. ^ Brunner, Jennifer 2008 general election results Archived 2011-02-28 at the Wayback Machine (2008-11-04)
  6. ^ Sen. Chris Widener to be Senate Finance Committee Chairman
  7. ^ Hershey, William (2011-01-16). "Area's state lawmakers take leadership spots". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
  8. ^ Widener named committee chair
  9. ^ Vardon, Joe; Jim Siegel (2011-04-18). "Is state's jobs entity really needed?". Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on 2011-06-14. Retrieved 2011-04-18.
  10. ^ Guillen, Joe (2011-06-29). "State budget conference committee passes unified budget on party-line vote". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 2011-06-28.
  11. ^ Carr Smyth, Julie (2011-06-29). "State Senate passes budget that will change Ohio". Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on 2011-07-01. Retrieved 2011-06-29.
  12. ^ Husted, Jon 2012 general election results (2012-11-06)
  13. ^ "Widener orders garage passes that would limit public accountability". Dayton Daily News. Dayton. 2015-01-08. Retrieved 2015-01-09.
  14. ^ "For childish attempt to impede public's right to know, Chris Widener is Ohio legislature's Worst Person: Brent Larkin | cleveland.com". 23 January 2015. Retrieved 2015-01-23.
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