Representative Michael Stinziano

Ohio Future Caucus, EMERITUS Co-Chair (D)

Representative Michael Stinziano proudly serves the residents and businesses of Bexley, Franklinton, German Village, Grandview Heights, Weinland Park, The Hilltop, Merion Village, Olde Towne East, Schumacher Place, The University Community, Harrison West, Italian Village and Victorian Village.

Representative Stinziano is a pragmatic and innovative leader who works in a bipartisan manner to get results for his constituents. He finds effective, common-sense solutions that build a better and brighter future for all Ohioans.

Representative Stinziano serves as the Ranking Minority Member on the House Judiciary Committee and on the House Insurance and House Public Utilities Committees. In addition, he serves on the Energy Mandates Study Committee and is a Board Member ofthe Ohio Tuition Trust Authority.

Michael is an Adjunct Professor at Capital University Law School where he teaches the course on Legislation. Michael also serves on the National Governing Board of the Council of State Governments, as Chair of the State-Federal Relations Committee of the National Conference of Insurance Legislators, and as a Member of the Labor and Economic Development Committee and the Redistricting and Elections Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The youngest of four children, Michael grew up understanding the importance of independent thinking and fairness, and the value of serving others.

Michael was born at Mt. Carmel Hospital in Franklinton and grew up on King Avenue in the Short North. He received a bachelor’s degree in leadership studies from the University of Richmond. Later, while working for the Woodrow Wilson International Center, a Smithsonian Institution think tank, Michael earned a master’s degree in public administration from George Washington University. After returning to Columbus, Michael graduated from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and became an attorney.

Michael has pursued multiple public service opportunities in local, state, and federal government. Michael worked as a congressional intern in Washington, as a legal extern for the Supreme Court of Ohio, as a law clerk for the Ohio House Democratic Caucus, and as an assistant to the general counsel for Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner.

He has also worked at the international level, serving as a research assistant for two members of the British Parliament.

In 2008, Michael became Director of the Franklin County Board of Elections.

As the Director of the Board of Elections, Michael led one of the largest election jurisdictions in the country. Michael implemented sound financial planning that resulted in a high level of service to the public while reducing costs for the taxpayer.

Michael is the only member of the Ohio General Assembly who is an Elections/ Registration Administrator certified by the National Association of Election Officials. The National Conference of Insurance Legislators Institute for Insurance Policy also recognizes Michael as a Certified Associate Insurance Policymaker.

During his first term in the Ohio House, Michael was named the 2011 Democratic Legislator of the Year by The Ohio Association of Election Officials and has gone on to receive numerous honors and awards:

  • Legislator of the Year Award, Central Ohio Association for Justice (2014)

  • Legislator of the Year Award, Ohio Association of County Boards of Developmental Disabilities (2013)

  • Distinguished Alumni Award, George Washington University, Trachtenberg School of Public Policy & Public Administration (2013)

  • Friend of the Year Award, College Democrats of Ohio (2013)

  • Susan L. Hamo Friend of Industry Award, Ohio Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (2012)

  • Excellence in Public Policy Award, Ohio Public Health Association (2012)

  • Bowhay Institute For Leadership Development Fellowship, The Midwestern Council of State Governments (2012)

  • Forty Under 40 Honoree, Columbus Business First (2012)

  • Distinguished Community & Public Service Award, The University of Richmond Jepson School of Leadership Studies (2012)

Michael is active in the Central Ohio community, and serves on the boards of the Franklinton Development Association, The Friends of the Hilltop, The Boys and Girls Clubs of Columbus, The International Visitors Council, and as a member and former Secretary of the Board of Gladden Community House.

In addition, Michael served as Chair of the Columbus Bar Association’s Government Agencies Committee, is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and has also served on the board of Kids Voting Central Ohio.

Michael belongs to the Ohio Commodores, the Columbus Italian Club, the Shamrock Club of Columbus, the Hilltop Kiwanis, the Short North Civic Association, Sigma Chi Fraternity, and is a graduate of the Columbus Civilian Police Academy, an Executive Committee Member of the Franklin County Democratic Party and a Certified Tourism Ambassador for the City of Columbus.

Michael is the son of Lisa Stinziano and former State Representative Mike Stinziano, who represented Columbus’ Westside, Short North and University Community neighborhoods for 22 years.

Michael and his wife Caroline McNamee Stinziano, a certified public accountant, are the proud parents of Michael Cooper Joseph Stinziano, who was born in August 2013.

Michael, Caroline, and Cooper live in the Short North with their two rescue pugs, Wrigley and Fenway, and belong to St. Francis of Assisi Parish.

Rep. Sara Jacobs

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