Mike Dovilla Officially Declares Candidacy for Ohio Senate

CLEVELAND, OHIO—State Representative Mike Dovilla (R-Berea) today officially filed his declaration of candidacy with the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections to serve as State Senator for the 24th Ohio Senate District.

“As a Cuyahoga County native and lifelong Republican, I am grateful to have the opportunity to serve our region in the Legislature,” said Dovilla. “Our conservative Republican majorities have made tremendous strides over the past five years to place Ohio back on a path toward prosperity. Today, I offer myself as a candidate for the Ohio Senate to continue working to make the Buckeye State and Northeast Ohio the best place in America to live, work, and raise a family.”

Rep. Dovilla, the House Majority Whip, is currently serving his third term in the Ohio House of Representatives. As a state legislator who was first elected in 2010, helping the Republicans reclaim the majority in the Ohio House, Dovilla has authored more than a dozen laws and quickly risen through the ranks since arriving in the Legislature. Dovilla also has a distinguished military career as a U.S. Navy officer. A lieutenant commander with more than 13 years of commissioned service, he served on active duty on a 12-month deployment in Iraq in 2007-2008 and continues serving our country today in a leadership role with a U.S. European Command reserve unit. He has twice been awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the third-highest award bestowed upon military personnel by the U.S. Department of Defense.

Dovilla has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to cast difficult votes and effectively represent a swing political district without violating his strongly-held, lifelong conservative principles. His voting record validates his credentials as a fiscal and social conservative. Supporting three balanced budgets that have cut Ohioans taxes by $5 billion, supporting all pro-life legislation, and providing leadership as a committee chairman on measures to protect Ohioans’ gun rights, Dovilla has proven to be the only consistent conservative in the race.

“This Republican primary election is about advancing our strongest possible nominee to take on another name-game Democrat next fall,” said Dovilla. “In three challenging races for the House, I have proven my ability to defeat that type of liberal opponent who is out-of-touch with our district’s values. In the Legislature, I have earned the trust of my colleagues and two Speakers, serving in key leadership positions. I am the best prepared candidate to carry our party’s banner, and I ask for the opportunity to do so.”

The 24th Ohio Senate District is comprised of 28 communities in Cuyahoga County – Bay Village, Bentleyville, Brecksville, Broadview Heights, Chagrin Falls, Chagrin Falls Township, Fairview Park, Gates Mills, Glenwillow, Highland Heights, Hunting Valley, Independence, Lyndhurst, Mayfield, Moreland Hills, North Olmsted, North Royalton, Oakwood, Olmsted Falls, Olmsted Township, Rocky River, Seven Hills, Solon, Strongsville, Valley View, Walton Hills, Westlake, and Berea – Rep. Dovilla’s hometown.

For more information on Mike Dovilla’s campaign, please visit www.DovillaforOhio.com.