Ohio Sen. Lou Gentile (D)

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State Senator Lou Gentile (D-Steubenville) is serving his first full term in the Ohio Senate, representing the 30th Senate District. Senator Gentile currently represents Jefferson, Carroll, Harrison, Belmont, Noble, Monroe, Washington, Meigs and portions of Athens and Vinton Counties. In January of 2014, Senator Gentile was elected to serve as the Assistant Minority Whip of the Senate.
Senator Gentile has proven to be an effective and committed legislator and is known to be both pragmatic and willing to work in a bipartisan fashion. As the Ranking Member on Senate Public Utilities, Energy and Natural Resources, and the Senate Agriculture Committees, he has been a critical voice and advocate for affordable energy and utility prices as well as the responsible development of Ohio’s natural resources.
In 2010, Senator Gentile was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives to represent the 95th House District, which included Jefferson, Belmont, and Harrison Counties. In 2011, Gentile was appointed to fill the vacant 30th Senate District and was subsequently re-elected in 2012.
Prior to his current term in the Senate, Senator Gentile has committed his career to public service, particularly in the areas of economic development and job creation, education, and workforce training. He has a particular interest in the issues, challenges, and opportunities in Appalachian Ohio. As the former Assistant Director for the Governor’s Office of Appalachia, Senator Gentile created and maintained job opportunities through various economic incentive programs in coordination with local businesses. He also played a pivotal role in expanding broadband access to residents throughout eastern and southeastern Ohio and is currently the Co-Chair of the Broadband and Technology Caucus.
Prior in serving in the Office of Appalachia, Senator Gentile was a field liaison for the Office of former Congressman and Governor Ted Strickland. He served in four Appalachian counties, allowing him to further build regional consensus and support on a wide range of economic and educational projects.
Senator Gentile has promoted the use of Ohio’s skilled workforce as well as championing Ohio’s small businesses. He authored the “Ohio Workers First” Amendment in Ohio’s comprehensive energy reform bill that requires the disclosure of the number of Ohio workers hired in the oil and gas industry and encourages the use of Ohio based small businesses in order to create jobs and bolster economic growth.
Senator Gentile has also been a strong supporter of Ohio’s veterans, and has sponsored legislation that assists veterans in finding employment by partnering with Ohio’s two and four year public institutions. He also works to protect good paying manufacturing jobs and is a tireless advocate for mine safety.
The son of a retired schoolteacher and social worker, Senator Gentile’s parents instilled in him from a very early age the importance of giving back to the community. He carries these values with him to the Ohio Senate and works tirelessly to build stronger communities, where all families have access to good paying jobs and a high quality education.
Senator Gentile serves on the Senate Insurance and Financial Institutions Committee, the Senate Transportation Committee, the Senate Rules Committee and the Senate Reference Committee. During the budget proceedings Senator Gentile served on the General Government Subcommittee. He also serves on over a dozen select boards and committees. He earned a BA in Political Science from West Virginia University located in Morgantown, WV.