Gavarone, Reineke to hold Ohio Senate leadership posts

SANDUSKY — Two state lawmakers from the Sandusky area will be part of the Ohio Senate's leadership next year: • Fellow Ohio Senate Republicans elected State Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, as the majority floor leader. • And they also elected state Sen. Bill Reineke, R-Tiffin, as the Senate president pro-tempore. Both local lawmakers will be working with the Senate's new leader. State Sen. Rob McColley, R-Napoleon, will take over as the Ohio Senate's president. He will replace Matt Huffman, a Lima Republican who this year is finishing up as the Ohio Senate president. Huffman has been elected to the Ohio House and received a nomination by House Republicans to take over next year as the Ohio House speaker. Ohio Sen. George Lang, R-West Chester, was elected to serve as majority whip next year. That's Gavarone's current leadership position. According to the Ohio Senate handbook, Gavarone's job as majority leader will be to work closely with McColley, the new Ohio Senate president. She'll help shape the Ohio Senate's agenda and help McColley figure out which bills should be top priorities. "It's an honor and a privilege to be chosen for this role in our leadership team by my colleagues," Gavarone said. "I am grateful for their trust in me and look forward to continuing to serve my constituents and our great state every day." Gavarone's 2nd District includes several counties in northern and western Ohio, including all of Ottawa County and parts of Erie and Huron counties. She's been in the Ohio Senate since 2019. The Register asked Gavarone about reports that she might run for Ohio secretary of state in 2026. She has authored a number of bills dealing with voting and is a member of the Ohio Ballot Board, which deals with statewide ballot issues. Gavarone said another race isn't her current focus. "Right now, I'm focused on working hard for the people of the 2nd Senate District and on my new role as majority floor leader. There's a lot to be done, and I'm looking forward to finishing this year strong and beginning the 136th General Assembly in January," she said. As the Ohio Senate president pro tempore, Reineke will preside over the Ohio Senate when the Senate president is unavailable. Reineke, known for his local car dealership, represents the Ohio Senate's 26th District, which includes Union, Crawford, Marion, Morrow, Sandusky, Seneca and Wyandot counties. He previously served three terms in the Ohio House.