Chris Widener

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.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) 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.{{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 }}

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.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) In the general election, Widener faced Clark County Commissioner Roger Tackett.[http://daytonos.com/?p=3647 Chris Widener, Republican Senate Candidate, Boasts About Tax Cuts, But How Will He Solve Ohio’s Budget Crisis?] While Democrats initially thought the district as potentially competitive, Widener won with 62% of the vote.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)

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,[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]{{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}} He also serves on the State Controlling Board;[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] 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.{{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 }} Widener was also a key player on the conference committee on the budget, where the budget was finished,{{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}} and helped to pass the final budget for 2012-2013.{{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 }}

In 2012, Widener won reelection to a second term, defeating Jeff Robertson with 62% of the vote.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) Widener has faced controversy for trying to shield public records related to Senate parking key cards.{{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 }} For this and other reasons, the Cleveland Plain Dealer in an editorial named Widener the worst person in the Ohio General Assembly.{{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 | cleveland.com | author = | author-link = | date = 23 January 2015| publisher = | pages = | language = | quote = | accessdate = 2015-01-23}}

• Committee on Rules

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Category:1963 births

Category:Living people

Category:Republican Party members of the Ohio House of Representatives

Category:21st-century members of the Ohio General Assembly

Category:Republican Party Ohio state senators

Category:University of Cincinnati alumni