Marilyn John
{{short description|American politician}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Marilyn John
|office = Majority Leader of the Ohio House of Representatives
|term_start = January 6, 2025
|term_end =
|predecessor = Dorothy Pelanda
|successor =
|state_house1 = Ohio
|district1 = 76th
|term_start1 = January 3, 2023
|term_end1 =
|predecessor1 = Diane Grendell
|successor1 =
|state_house2 = Ohio
|district2 = 2nd
|term_start2 = January 4, 2021
|term_end2 = December 31, 2022
|predecessor2 = Mark Romanchuk
|successor2 = Latyna Humphrey
|birth_date =
|birth_place = Shelby, Ohio, U.S.
|death_date =
|death_place =
|party = Republican
|spouse = {{marriage|Kevin|1995}}
|education = North Central State College
Ashland University (BA, MBA)
}}
Marilyn S. John is an American politician serving as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 76th district. John previously served as the mayor of Shelby, Ohio and was a Richland County Commissioner.
Early life and education
Growing up, John was encouraged to participate in politics by her family while attending Plymouth High School. After graduating, she enrolled in an associate's program at North Central State College and an MBA program at Ashland University.{{cite web |last1=Hunnell |first1=Carl |title=Marilyn John ready for state lawmaker role on Jan. 4 |url=https://www.richlandsource.com/news/marilyn-john-ready-for-state-lawmaker-role-on-jan-4/article_487c8e98-4910-11eb-a3d1-63f788503116.html |website=richlandsource.com |access-date=January 7, 2021 |date=January 1, 2021}} She later founded the Leader Richland Program to prepare elementary school students for a college setting. In recognition of her efforts, John was the recipient of the 2019 OACC Distinguished Alumnus Award.{{cite news |last1=Kent |first1=Russell |title=Galion's Matt Smith, Shelby's Marilyn John receive honors |url=https://www.galioninquirer.com/news/42169/galions-matt-smith-shelbys-marilyn-john-receive-honors |access-date=January 7, 2021 |publisher=Galion Inquirer |date=June 22, 2019}}
Career
After earning her MBA, John began working as an underwriter at Shelby Insurance Company and as the executive director of the Shelby Senior Center. She was then elected Mayor of Shelby, Ohio after defeating Cohen Lewis and Bill Freytag in the general election with 1,120 votes.{{cite news |last1=Caudill |first1=Mark |title=Marilyn John wins neck-and-neck race |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67133669/marilyn-john/ |access-date=January 7, 2021 |publisher=News-Journal |date=November 4, 2009 |location=Mansfield, Ohio|via=newspapers.com}} During her first term as Mayor, John said she would prioritize improving communications within the administration and between the city and community.{{cite news |last1=Kinton |first1=Jimi |title=New Shelby mayor dives into term |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67133533/marilyn-john/ |access-date=January 7, 2021 |publisher=News-Journal |date=January 4, 2010|via=newspapers.com}} She was re-elected for a second term in 2011{{cite news |last1=Kinton |first1=Jimi |title=Mayor Marilyn John re-elected in Shelby |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/67133407/marilyn-john/ |access-date=January 7, 2021 |publisher=News-Journal |date=November 9, 2011|via=newspapers.com}} before resigning in 2014 to accept her election as Richland County Commissioner.{{cite web |last1=Schock |first1=Brittany |title=Shelby Mayor Marilyn John officially announces resignation effective Dec. 31 |url=https://www.richlandsource.com/news/shelby-mayor-marilyn-john-officially-announces-resignation-effective-dec-31/article_9531bb16-79c6-11e4-a819-274b177e784d.html |website=richlandsource.com |access-date=January 7, 2021 |date=December 1, 2014}} Prior to her resignation, she was the recipient of the Elected Official of the Year Award by the Area Agency on Aging.{{cite web |last1=Mindy McKenzie |first1=Mindy |title=Mayor Marilyn John receives "Elected Official of the Year" award |url=https://www.richlandsource.com/news/mayor-marilyn-john-receives-elected-official-of-the-year-award/article_726abc08-830a-11e3-8b62-10604b9ffede.html |website=richlandsource.com |access-date=January 7, 2021 |date=January 22, 2014}}
During her tenure as Richland County Commissioner, John helped establish a "rainy day" fund, stabilized carryover funds, and created a five-year capital improvements plan.{{cite web |title=Commissioner Marilyn John Announces Candidacy for House District 2 |url=https://wmanfm.iheart.com/content/2019-08-23-commissioner-marilyn-john-announces-candidacy-for-house-district-2/ |website=wmanfm.iheart.com |access-date=January 7, 2020 |date=August 23, 2019}} Before her term as Commissioner expired, John was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives on November 3, 2020, after defeating Sam Grady.{{cite news |last1=Trombly |first1=Monroe |title=Marilyn John wins race for statehouse seat over Sam Grady |url=https://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/story/news/2020/11/04/ohio-election-sam-grady-marilyn-john-2nd-district-statehouse-seat/3751387001/ |access-date=January 7, 2021 |publisher=Mansfield News Journal |date=November 3, 2020}} She assumed office on January 4, 2021.{{cite web |title=John Sworn-In as State Representative for the 2nd Ohio House District |url=https://www.ohiohouse.gov/members/marilyn-s-john/news/john-sworn-in-as-state-representative-for-the-2nd-ohio-house-district-104915 |website=ohiohouse.gov |access-date=January 7, 2021 |date=January 4, 2021}}
Personal life
John and her husband Kevin have two children together and attend Crossroads Community Church.{{cite web |title=Marilyn John |url=https://www.richlandcountyoh.gov/marilyn_john/index.php |website=richlandcountyoh.gov |access-date=January 7, 2021}} While living in Miami County, she taught yoga at a fitness studio for four years.{{cite web |last1=Dech |first1=Emily |title=Keeping up with the commissioner: Marilyn John prioritizes health around a busy schedule |url=https://www.richlandsource.com/thrive/keeping-up-with-the-commissioner-marilyn-john-prioritizes-health-around-a-busy-schedule/article_148dcc8a-2880-11e9-958b-c7e9ec1c1b93.html |website=richlandsource.com |access-date=January 7, 2021 |date=February 10, 2019}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-par|us-oh-hs}}
{{s-bef|before=Bill Seitz}}
{{s-ttl|title=Majority Leader of the Ohio House of Representatives|years=2025–present}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-end}}
{{Ohio statewide political officials}}
{{U.S. State House Floor Leaders}}
{{Ohio House of Representatives}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Johns, Marilyn}}
Category:21st-century American women politicians
Category:21st-century members of the Ohio General Assembly
Category:Ashland University alumni
Category:Mayors of places in Ohio
Category:People from Shelby, Ohio
Category:Republican Party members of the Ohio House of Representatives
Category:Women mayors of places in Ohio