Steve Kraus

{{Short description|American politician}}

{{Infobox officeholder

|name = Steve Kraus

|state_house = Ohio

|district = 89th

|term_start = January 5, 2015

|term_end = July 27, 2015

|predecessor = Chris Redfern

|successor = Steve Arndt

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1959|7|28}}

|birth_place = Bowling Green, Ohio, U.S.

|death_date =

|death_place =

|party = Republican

|education = Air University
Troy University {{small|(BS)}}

}}

Steven W. Kraus (born July 28, 1959) was the Representative of the 89th district of the Ohio House of Representatives until his felony conviction on July 27, 2015. He attended the Community College of the Air Force of Air University before receiving his bachelor's in engineering from Troy University.{{Citation needed|date=July 2019}}

Kraus' election was also significant due to his defeat of Chris Redfern, a long-serving state representative and the Chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party at the time.{{cite news |url=http://www.sanduskyregister.com/news/politics/6185231 |title=Kraus steals the election from Redfern |work=Sandusky Register |date=2014-11-05 |accessdate=2014-12-29 }} After winning election, but prior to his swearing in, Kraus was indicted on felony charges of burglary, breaking and entering, and theft.{{cite news |url=http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2014/11/19/rep-kraus-indicted/19296649/ |title=Ohio Rep.-elect Steve Kraus indicted |work=Cincinnati Enquirer |date=2014-11-19 |accessdate=2014-12-29 }} Kraus was convicted of a fifth-degree felony on July 27, 2015, and, according to the Ohio Revised Code, immediately relinquished his seat as a result of his conviction.[http://www.sanduskyregister.com] | 12/29/2018 | Appeals court upholds Steve Kraus felony conviction | Tom Jackson | Staff Reporter | [http://www.sanduskyregister.com/story/201812280031]

Kraus wrote a book published in February 2018, Checkmate: One Man's Fight Against Political Corruption.

On December 19, 2023, Kraus filed his declaration of candidacy for Ohio House with the Erie County, Ohio board of elections to run for state representative and an objection was filed shortly after due to his felony conviction, which, by then had been sealed.{{cite news |last1=Jeremy Pelzer |first1=cleveland com |title=Ohio Supreme Court asked to decide whether ex-lawmaker can run again despite felony conviction |url=https://www.cleveland.com/news/2024/01/ohio-supreme-court-asked-to-decide-whether-ex-lawmaker-can-run-again-despite-felony-conviction.html |access-date=31 January 2024 |work=cleveland |date=11 January 2024 |language=en}}

On January 29, 2024, the Ohio Supreme Court unanimously ruled Kraus could run and hold office again as an Ohio House member after Erie County election officials placed Kraus’ name on the March 19, 2024 primary-election ballot because his theft conviction was irrelevant because the law only disqualifies him from certain kinds of public office, mainly office that grants him “substantial management or control” over state property.{{cite news |last1=Evans |first1=Nick |last2=January 31 |first2=Ohio Capital Journal |title=The comeback bid is on: Ohio Supreme Court allows former lawmaker to appear on ballot |url=https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2024/01/31/the-comeback-bid-is-on-ohio-supreme-court-allows-former-lawmaker-to-appear-on-ballot/ |access-date=31 January 2024 |work=Ohio Capital Journal |date=31 January 2024}}{{cite web |title=SLIP OPINION NO. 2024-OHIO-290 THE STATE EX REL. SCHREINER v. ERIE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS ET AL |url=https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/rod/docs/pdf/0/2024/2024-Ohio-290.pdf |publisher=Ohio Supreme Court |access-date=31 January 2024 |quote=The board of elections did not abuse its discretion or act in clear disregard of the applicable law when it denied Schreiner’s protest and kept Kraus on the March 2024 primary-election ballot. We therefore deny Schreiner’s petition for a writ of prohibition}}