State Rep. Bob Hackett, R-London, is getting the nod to fill out the remaining 10 months of Republican Chris Widener’s term in the Ohio Senate.
Senate President Keith Faber, R-Celina, said a screening committee is recommending Hackett, who is running against Bruce Walton for the Senate seat for the upcoming four-year term. Hackett has been in the Ohio House since 2009. The 10th District includes all of Clark, Greene and Madison counties.
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“Bob has the experience and depth of knowledge to be an effective state senator on day one,” said Faber in a written statement. “We were very impressed with both applicants, but Bob’s record of leadership and accomplishment in the Ohio House make him the best choice to fill this vacancy. He knows the district and the issues important to its constituents, I’m confident he’ll be an outstanding advocate for the 10th District. We also look forward to ensuring his election to a full, four-year term in November.”
Hackett already knows the counties in the district, he said, and was honored to be selected to fill the vacancy.
“My House district is in all three of the counties, so I have a great relationship with all the local leaders and I enjoy working with them,” he said.
He serves as chairman of the insurance committee in the House, and plans to continue focusing on that topic in his new role in the Ohio Senate.
The 23 Republican state senators will meet Feb. 23 to vote on the screening committee’s recommendation of Hackett for the post.
Widener abruptly announced he would step down on Jan. 31. The next day, Central State University announced it hired Widener as an outside consultant for $72,000 a year.