Nickie Antonio

Nickie Antonio

Democratic Party

Ohio State Senate District 23

Tenure

2019 - Present

Term ends

2026

Years in position

6

Prior offices

Ohio House of Representatives District 13

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Compensation

Base salary

$71,099/year

Per diem

$No per diem is paid

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 8, 2022

Education

Bachelor's

Cleveland State University

Graduate

Cleveland State University

Personal

Profession

Business executive

Contact

Official website

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Nickie Antonio (Democratic Party) is a member of the Ohio State Senate, representing District 23. She assumed office on January 1, 2019. Her current term ends on December 31, 2026.

Antonio (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Ohio State Senate to represent District 23. She won in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Antonio is a former Democratic member of the Ohio House of Representatives, representing District 13 from 2011 to 2018. She served as minority whip from 2016 to 2018.

She previously served as assistant minority whip. Antonio was unable to run for re-election in 2018 to the Ohio House of Representatives because of term limits.

Antonio began serving as state Senate minority leader in 2023.

Biography

Nickie Antonio lives in Lakewood, Ohio. She earned a bachelor's degree in education from Cleveland State University and a master's degree in public administration from Cleveland State University in 1991. Antonio's career experience includes working as the president of Star Communications Consulting.

Committee assignments

Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.

2023-2024

Antonio was assigned to the following committees:

• Senate Health Committee
• Senate Rules and Reference Committee
• Transportation Committee
• Joint Legislative Ethics Committee
• Legislative Service Commission Committee

2021-2022

Antonio was assigned to the following committees:

• Joint Legislative Ethics Committee
• Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee, Ranking member
• Senate Finance Committee
• Senate Health Committee, Ranking member
• Senate Rules and Reference Committee
• Transportation Committee, Ranking member
• Senate Ways and Means Committee
• Workforce and Higher Education Committee

2019-2020

Antonio was assigned to the following committees:

• Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee
• Senate Health Committee, Ranking minority member
• Senate Finance Committee
• Senate Ways and Means Committee
• Transportation, Commerce, and Workforce Committee, Ranking minority member

2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Antonio served on the following committees:

Ohio committee assignments, 2015
• Finance
• Health and Aging
• Rules and Reference
• Joint Medicaid Oversight

2013-2014

In the 2013-2014 legislative session, Antonio served on the following committees:

Ohio committee assignments, 2013
• Education
• Finance and Appropriations
• Health and Aging

2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Antonio served on the following committees:

Ohio committee assignments, 2011
• Education
• Commerce and Labor
• Health and Aging

Sponsored legislation

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Elections

2022

See also: Ohio State Senate elections, 2022

General election

General election for Ohio State Senate District 23

Incumbent Nickie Antonio defeated Landry Simmons Jr. in the general election for Ohio State Senate District 23 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Nickie Antonio (D)	69.3	64,758
		Landry Simmons Jr. (R)	30.7	28,668

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 93,426
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Ohio State Senate District 23

Incumbent Nickie Antonio advanced from the Democratic primary for Ohio State Senate District 23 on August 2, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Nickie Antonio	100.0	12,780

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 12,780
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Jeffrey Johnson (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Ohio State Senate District 23

Landry Simmons Jr. advanced from the Republican primary for Ohio State Senate District 23 on August 2, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Landry Simmons Jr.	100.0	3,952

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,952
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2018

See also: Ohio State Senate elections, 2018

General election

General election for Ohio State Senate District 23

Nickie Antonio defeated Steve Flores in the general election for Ohio State Senate District 23 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Nickie Antonio (D)	65.4	69,907
	Submit photo	Steve Flores (R)	34.6	36,968

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 106,875
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Ohio State Senate District 23

Nickie Antonio defeated Martin Sweeney in the Democratic primary for Ohio State Senate District 23 on May 8, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Nickie Antonio	54.6	15,282
		Martin Sweeney	45.4	12,699

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 27,981
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Mary Clark (D)

2016

See also: Ohio House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for the Ohio House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on March 15, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was December 16, 2015.

Incumbent Nickie Antonio ran unopposed in the Ohio House of Representatives District 13 general election.

Ohio House of Representatives, District 13 General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Democratic	Nickie Antonio Incumbent (unopposed)
Source: Ohio Secretary of State

Incumbent Nickie Antonio ran unopposed in the Ohio House of Representatives District 13 Democratic primary.

Ohio House of Representatives District 13, Democratic Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Nickie Antonio Incumbent (unopposed)	100.00%	10,407
Total Votes				10,407

2014

See also: Ohio House of Representatives elections, 2014

Elections for the Ohio House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 6, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 5, 2014. Incumbent Nickie Antonio was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Maria Anderson was unopposed in the Republican primary. Antonio defeated Anderson in the general election.

Ohio House of Representatives, District 13 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Nickie Antonio Incumbent	72%	14,866
	Republican	Maria Anderson	28%	5,794
Total Votes				20,660

2012

See also: Ohio House of Representatives elections, 2012

Antonio won re-election in the 2012 election for Ohio House, District 13. Antonio was unopposed in the March 6 Democratic primary election and defeated John Zappala (R) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.

Ohio House of Representatives, District 13, General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Nickie Antonio Incumbent	75.9%	28,562
	Republican	John Zappala	24.1%	9,087
Total Votes				37,649

2010

See also: Ohio House of Representatives elections, 2010

Antonio won election to the Ohio House of Representatives in District 13. She was unopposed in the November 2 general election.

Ohio House of Representatives, District 13
Candidates		Votes	Percent
Nickie Antonio (D)		15,545	100.00%

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Nickie Antonio did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2018

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys

Nickie Antonio participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on August 30, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Nickie Antonio's responses follow below.

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

“

Good Paying Jobs, Quality public schools, Healthy/Safe Communities

”

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?

“

Health Policy and Education policy are of special interest to me because our future depends on healthy well educated citizens

”

Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Nickie Antonio answered the following:

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow and why?

“

I look up to Shirley Chisholm because she was in her words "unbought and unbossed". She fought for the people of her district especially for quality education and knew that good nutrition was needed for successful students. She took risks, became the first African America woman to serve in Congress and the first to run for president. She was a courageous, hard working trailblazer.

”

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else that best describes your political philosophy?

“

The series "The West Wing" because while not perfect the Democrats in power tried to do what they believed was best for the people. The Book Unbought and Unbossed by Shirley Chisholm. The book "My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem. A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn.

”

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

“

Civility, honesty, intelligence, active listening, perseverance, a love of people, a sense of humor and adaptability.

”

What qualities do you possess that would make you a successful officeholder?

“

I have demonstrated my ability to listen and to work towards compromise when possible. I have a love and appreciation of the people i serve and i know how to reach across the aisle to get things done, I work well in collaborations and I strive for the best possible outcomes for the people, working with the people.

”

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

“

To be the voice of the people one represents, to work for the best possible outcomes, to be ethical and honorable.

”

What legacy would you like to leave?

“

I have worked for equality and fairness for those who would be marginalized by our society because of race, gender, ability, income, sexual orientation, gender identity, military status, health condition or immigrant status. I hope that because of the work that I did things were better for some people- that my work made their lives better and that some would be inspired to pick up and continue the work long after I'm gone. I have every confidence that this will be so.

”

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at that time?

“

In 1961 (I was 6 years old) the astronaut, Alan Shepherd circled the earth. I was glued to the tiny TV we had.

”

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

“

My first job after babysitting was working in a phone room- telemarketing for subscriptions for the local newspaper.

”

2014

Antonio's website highlighted the following campaign themes:

Jobs

• Excerpt: "Nickie will work to keep jobs and businesses in Northeast Ohio while also developing strategies to support existing and emerging small businesses and creative economic opportunities in our District."

Education

• Excerpt: "Nickie will strive to ensure that each student has access to quality, affordable education pre-K through college."

Smart Growth

• Excerpt: "In keeping with using arts and culture as an economic engine and driver for innovative economic solutions, Nickie will collaborate in locating support for projects that fit into our unique, diverse and historic communities."

Health Care and Human Services

• Excerpt: "Nickie will continue to work as an advocate for families, seniors and youth and the organizations that provide opportunities to keep our District healthy, vibrant and successful. Nickie is dedicated to the effective delivery of Health Care for all and the continuation of vital human services which strengthen the entire community."

Good Government

• Excerpt: "Nickie supports initiatives that are cooperative, efficient and transparent."

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Nickie Antonio campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2022	Ohio State Senate District 23	Won general	$763,426	$455,638
2018	Ohio State Senate District 23	Won general	$318,574	N/A**
2016	Ohio House of Representatives, District 13	Won	$208,377	N/A**
2014	Ohio State House, District 13	Won	$90,244	N/A**
2012	Ohio State House, District 13	Won	$77,675	N/A**
2010	Ohio State House, District 13	Won	$119,925	N/A**
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Ohio

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states.  To contribute to the list of Ohio scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

2024

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show].
In 2024, the Ohio State Legislature was in session from January 2 to December 19. A special session on elections commenced on May 28, 2024, and ended on May 31. Equality Ohio Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to LGBTQ, civil rights, and racial justice issues.

2023

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show].
In 2023, the Ohio State Legislature was in session from January 2 to December 31. Ohio Environmental Council Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2022

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show].

In 2022, the Ohio State Legislature was in session from January 19 to December 15. Equality Ohio Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to LGBTQ, civil rights, and racial justice issues. Innovation Ohio Representatives are scored on their votes on bills affecting working families. Ohio Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills impacting Ohio's business community. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. The Institute for Legislative Analysis Legislators are scored on their adherence to the limited government principles of the U.S. Constitution.

2021

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show].
In 2021, the Ohio State Legislature was in session from January 4 to December 31. Ohio Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills impacting Ohio's business community. Ohio Environmental Council Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2020

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show].

In 2020, the Ohio State Legislature was in session from January 6 to December 31. Club for Growth Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. Innovation Ohio Representatives are scored on their votes on bills affecting working families. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. Ohio Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills impacting Ohio's business community. Ohio Environmental Council Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental policy. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2019

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show].
In 2019, the Ohio General Assembly was in session from January 7 through December 31. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2018

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show].
In 2018, the 132nd Ohio General Assembly was in session from January 2 through December 31. Innovation Ohio Representatives are scored on their votes on bills affecting working families. Ohio Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on bills impacting Ohio's business community. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2017

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show].
In 2017, the 132nd Ohio General Assembly was in session from January 2 through December 31. Ohio Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills impacting Ohio's business community. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2016

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show].
In 2016, the 131st Ohio General Assembly was in session from January 5 through December 31. Ohio Chamber of Commerce: 2015-2016 scorecard Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills impacting Ohio's business community. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2015

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show].
In 2015, the 131st Ohio General Assembly was in session from January 5 through December 31. Ohio Chamber of Commerce: 2015-2016 scorecard Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills impacting Ohio's business community. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2014

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show].
In 2014, the 130th Ohio General Assembly was in session from January 7 through December 31. Innovation Ohio: 130th General Assembly - Women's issues scorecard Legislators are scored based on their votes on women’s issues. The American Conservative Union: 2014 legislative scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2013

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show].
In 2013, the 130th Ohio General Assembly was in session from January 7 to December 31. Innovation Ohio: 130th General Assembly - Women's issues scorecard Legislators are scored based on their votes on women’s issues. The American Conservative Union: 2013 legislative scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2012

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show].

In 2012, the 129th Ohio General Assembly was in session from January 3 through December 31. Innovation Ohio: 129th General Assembly - Middle class scorecard Legislators are scored based on their votes on middle class issues. Innovation Ohio: 129th General Assembly - Votes on legislation supported by Gov. Kasich Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills introduced at Gov. Kasich’s urging or which had his support. Innovation Ohio: 129th General Assembly - Women's issues scorecard Legislators are scored based on their votes on women’s issues. Ohio Federation of Teachers: State House 129th General Assembly scorecard Representatives are scored based on how they voted on issues of priority to members of the Ohio Federation of Teachers. Ohio Federation of Teachers: State Senate 129th General Assembly scorecard Senators are scored based on how they voted on issues of priority to members of the Ohio Federation of Teachers. The American Conservative Union: 2012 legislative scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2011

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2011, click [show].

In 2011, the 129th Ohio General Assembly was in session from January 3 through December 31. Innovation Ohio: 129th General Assembly - Middle class scorecard Legislators are scored based on their votes on middle class issues. Innovation Ohio: 129th General Assembly - Votes on legislation supported by Gov. Kasich Legislators are scored based on their votes on bills introduced at Gov. Kasich’s urging or which had his support. Innovation Ohio: 129th General Assembly - Women's issues scorecard Legislators are scored based on their votes on women’s issues. Ohio Federation of Teachers: State House 129th General Assembly scorecard Representatives are scored based on how they voted on issues of priority to members of the Ohio Federation of Teachers. Ohio Federation of Teachers: State Senate 129th General Assembly scorecard Senators are scored based on how they voted on issues of priority to members of the Ohio Federation of Teachers. The American Conservative Union: 2011 legislative scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

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Officeholder

Ohio State Senate District 23

Website

Personal

Facebook

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by -	Ohio State Senate District 23 2019-Present	Succeeded by -
Preceded by -	Ohio House of Representatives District 13 2011-2018	Succeeded by -

[show]

Current members of the Ohio State Senate

Leadership

Senate President:Robert McColley

Minority Leader:Nickie Antonio

Senators

District 1

Robert McColley (R)

District 2

Theresa Gavarone (R)

District 3

Michele Reynolds (R)

District 4

George Lang (R)

District 5

Stephen Huffman (R)

District 6

Willis Blackshear (D)

District 7

Steve Wilson (R)

District 8

Louis Blessing (R)

District 9

Catherine Ingram (D)

District 10

Kyle Koehler (R)

District 11

Paula Hicks-Hudson (D)

District 12

Susan Manchester (R)

District 13

Nathan Manning (R)

District 14

Terry Johnson (R)

District 15

Hearcel Craig (D)

District 16

Beth Liston (D)

District 17

Shane Wilkin (R)

District 18

Jerry Cirino (R)

District 19

Andrew Brenner (R)

District 20

Tim Schaffer (R)

District 21

Kent Smith (D)

District 22

Mark Romanchuk (R)

District 23

Nickie Antonio (D)

District 24

Thomas Patton (R)

District 25

William DeMora (D)

District 26

Bill Reineke (R)

District 27

Kristina Roegner (R)

District 28

Casey Weinstein (D)

District 29

Jane Timken (R)

District 30

Brian Chavez (R)

District 31

Al Landis (R)

District 32

Sandra O'Brien (R)

District 33

Alessandro Cutrona (R)

Republican Party (24)

Democratic Party (9)