Ohio House of Representatives District 79
Ohio House of Representatives District 79 is represented by Monica Robb Blasdel (R).
As of the 2020 Census, Ohio state representatives represented an average of 119,281 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 116,853 residents.
About the office
Members of the Ohio House of Representatives serve two-year terms with term limits.[1] Representatives may serve no more than four consecutive terms. Ohio legislators assume office the first day of January after a general election.[2][3]
Qualifications
Article 2, Section 3 of the Ohio Constitution states: "Senators and representatives shall have resided in their respective districts one year next preceding their election, unless they shall have been absent on the public business of the United States, or of this State."[4]
Article 15, Section 4 of the Ohio Constitution states: "No person shall be elected or appointed to any office in this state unless possessed of the qualifications of an elector."[5]
Article 2, Section 5 of the Ohio Constitution states: "No person hereafter convicted of an embezzlement of the public funds, shall hold any office in this state; nor shall any person, holding public money for disbursement, or otherwise, have a seat in the general assembly, until he shall have accounted for, and paid such money into the treasury."[6]
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[7] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $71,099/year | No per diem is paid. |
Term limits
- See also: State legislatures with term limits
The Ohio legislature is one of 16 state legislatures with term limits. Voters enacted the Ohio Term Limits Act in 1992. That initiative limited Ohio representatives to no more than four two-year terms, or a total of eight years.[8]
The first year that term limits were enacted was in 1992, and the first year that term limits impacted the ability of incumbents to run for office was in 2000.
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Ohio General Assembly, the vacancy must be filled by an election conducted by the members of the legislative house where the vacancy happened who are members of the party that last held the seat. A simple majority vote is needed in order to approve a replacement.[9]
See sources: Ohio Const. Art. 2, Sec. 11
District map
Redistricting
2020 redistricting cycle
Due to a 2022 Ohio Supreme Court ruling, the Ohio Redistricting Commission was required to draw new state legislative maps following the 2022 elections.[10]
On September 26, 2023, the Ohio Redistricting Commission voted 6-0 (with one member absent) to adopt new state legislative maps.[11][12] On October 5, the ACLU of Ohio filed a motion on behalf of the League of Women Voters of Ohio and other plaintiffs asking the Ohio Supreme Court to invalidate the new state legislative maps on the grounds that they violated the state constitution.[13]
On November 27, the Ohio Supreme Court upheld the maps and dismissed the following cases: League of Women Voters of Ohio et al. v. Ohio Redistricting Commission et al., Bennett et al. v. Ohio Redistricting Commission et al., and Ohio Organizing Collaborative et al. v. Ohio Redistricting Commission et al.[14] Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy wrote for the majority: "The bipartisan adoption of the September 2023 plan is a changed circumstance that makes it appropriate to relinquish our continuing jurisdiction over these cases.[15]
The majority was composed of the court's four Republicans.
Justice Jennifer L. Brunner wrote a dissent on behalf of the court's other two Democrats, saying, "It is illusory to suggest that a bipartisan vote to adopt the September 2023 plan constitutes a change in circumstances that somehow diminishes our review power or renders a unanimous redistricting plan constitutionally compliant. There is nothing in Article XI, Section 6 that suggests that bipartisan agreement on a plan renders it presumptively constitutional, and we have flatly rejected that idea."[16]
How does redistricting in Ohio work? In Ohio, the state legislature or a commission may have the opportunity to draw congressional maps. A bipartisan state legislative commission draws state legislative maps. A six-member advisory commission is involved in both the congressional and state legislative redistricting processes.
Ohio House of Representatives District 79
before 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Ohio House of Representatives District 79
after 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Elections
2024
See also: Ohio House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Ohio House of Representatives District 79
Incumbent Monica Robb Blasdel defeated Dan Votaw in the general election for Ohio House of Representatives District 79 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Monica Robb Blasdel (R) | 74.6 | 41,502 |
| Dan Votaw (D) | 25.4 | 14,122 | ||
| Total votes: 55,624 | |||
 = 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 House of Representatives District 79
Dan Votaw advanced from the Democratic primary for Ohio House of Representatives District 79 on March 19, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Dan Votaw | 100.0 | 3,208 | |
| Total votes: 3,208 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Ohio House of Representatives District 79
Incumbent Monica Robb Blasdel advanced from the Republican primary for Ohio House of Representatives District 79 on March 19, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Monica Robb Blasdel | 100.0 | 12,827 |
| Total votes: 12,827 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2022
General election
General election for Ohio House of Representatives District 79
Monica Robb Blasdel defeated Taylor Eastham and John Williams in the general election for Ohio House of Representatives District 79 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Monica Robb Blasdel (R) | 74.1 | 29,256 |
 | Taylor Eastham (D) | 25.8 | 10,193 | |
| John Williams (Independent) (Write-in) | 0.1 | 33 | ||
| Total votes: 39,482 | |||
| = 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 House of Representatives District 79
Taylor Eastham advanced from the Democratic primary for Ohio House of Representatives District 79 on August 2, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Taylor Eastham | 100.0 | 1,627 |
| Total votes: 1,627 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Ohio House of Representatives District 79
Monica Robb Blasdel advanced from the Republican primary for Ohio House of Representatives District 79 on August 2, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Monica Robb Blasdel | 100.0 | 4,638 |
| Total votes: 4,638 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2020
General election
General election for Ohio House of Representatives District 79
Incumbent Kyle Koehler defeated Cynthia Richards in the general election for Ohio House of Representatives District 79 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Kyle Koehler (R) | 63.1 | 32,705 |
| Cynthia Richards (D) | 36.9 | 19,127 | ||
| Total votes: 51,832 | |||
| = 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 House of Representatives District 79
Cynthia Richards advanced from the Democratic primary for Ohio House of Representatives District 79 on April 28, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Cynthia Richards | 100.0 | 5,723 | |
| Total votes: 5,723 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Ohio House of Representatives District 79
Incumbent Kyle Koehler advanced from the Republican primary for Ohio House of Representatives District 79 on April 28, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Kyle Koehler | 100.0 | 6,607 |
| Total votes: 6,607 | |||
| = 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
General election
General election for Ohio House of Representatives District 79
Incumbent Kyle Koehler defeated Amanda Finfrock in the general election for Ohio House of Representatives District 79 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Kyle Koehler (R) | 59.4 | 23,387 |
 | Amanda Finfrock (D) | 40.6 | 16,016 | |
| Total votes: 39,403 | |||
| = 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 House of Representatives District 79
Amanda Finfrock advanced from the Democratic primary for Ohio House of Representatives District 79 on May 8, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Amanda Finfrock | 100.0 | 4,010 |
| Total votes: 4,010 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Ohio House of Representatives District 79
Incumbent Kyle Koehler advanced from the Republican primary for Ohio House of Representatives District 79 on May 8, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Kyle Koehler | 100.0 | 7,272 |
| Total votes: 7,272 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
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 Kyle Koehler defeated Alex Wendt in the Ohio House of Representatives District 79 general election.[17]
| Ohio House of Representatives, District 79 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Kyle Koehler Incumbent |
60.53% | 29,687 | |
| Democratic | Alex Wendt | 39.47% | 19,360 | |
| Total Votes | 49,047 | |||
| Source: Ohio Secretary of State | ||||
Alex Wendt ran unopposed in the Ohio House of Representatives District 79 Democratic primary.[18][19]
| Ohio House of Representatives District 79, Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Alex Wendt (unopposed) |
100.00% | 6,922 | |
| Total Votes | 6,922 | |||
Incumbent Kyle Koehler ran unopposed in the Ohio House of Representatives District 79 Republican primary.[18][19]
| Ohio House of Representatives District 79, Republican Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Kyle Koehler Incumbent (unopposed) |
100.00% | 13,488 | |
| Total Votes | 13,488 | |||
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. Darrell Jackson was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Kyle Koehler defeated Rick Chimento and Argeri Lagos in the Republican primary. Koehler defeated Jackson in the general election.[20]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Kyle Koehler |
60.7% | 19,157 | |
| Democratic | Darrell Jackson | 39.3% | 12,388 | |
| Total Votes | 31,545 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Kyle Koehler |
53.7% | 6,221 |
| Argeri Lagos | 36.1% | 4,179 |
| Rick Chimento | 10.2% | 1,185 |
| Total Votes | 11,585 | |
2012
Elections for the office of Ohio House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on March 6, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was December 7, 2011. Incumbent Ross McGregor (R) defeated David D. Herier (D) in the general election. McGregor was unopposed in the Republican primary. David M. Farrell withdrew from the race following the Democratic primary. He was replaced on the ballot by David D. Herier.[21][22]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Ross McGregor Incumbent |
55.2% | 28,151 | |
| Democratic | David D. Herier | 44.8% | 22,824 | |
| Total Votes | 50,975 | |||
Campaign contributions
From 2000 to 2024, candidates for Ohio House of Representatives District 79 raised a total of $2,777,446. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $89,595 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money
| Campaign contributions, Ohio House of Representatives District 79 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2024 | $291,705 | 2 | $145,852 |
| 2022 | $119,261 | 2 | $59,630 |
| 2020 | $159,084 | 2 | $79,542 |
| 2018 | $357,644 | 2 | $178,822 |
| 2016 | $424,064 | 2 | $212,032 |
| 2014 | $590,714 | 4 | $147,679 |
| 2012 | $210,205 | 3 | $70,068 |
| 2010 | $63,107 | 2 | $31,554 |
| 2008 | $143,983 | 3 | $47,994 |
| 2006 | $70,658 | 3 | $23,553 |
| 2004 | $113,064 | 2 | $56,532 |
| 2002 | $89,563 | 2 | $44,782 |
| 2000 | $144,395 | 2 | $72,198 |
| Total | $2,777,446 | 31 | $89,595 |
See also
- Ohio General Assembly
- Ohio State Senate
- Ohio House of Representatives
- Ohio state legislative districts
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ termlimits.org, "List of state legislative term limits," accessed December 18, 2013
- ↑ Ohio Constitution, "Article 2, Section 02," accessed November 1, 2021
- ↑ [https://www.lsc.ohio.gov/documents/reference/current/guidebook/17/Guidebook.pdf Ohio.gov, "A Guidebook for Ohio Legislators," accessed November 1, 2021]
- ↑ Ohio Constitution, "Article II, Section 3: Residence requirements for state legislators," accessed May 23, 2025
- ↑ Ohio Constitution, "Article XV, Section 4: Officers to be qualified electors," accessed May 23, 2025
- ↑ Ohio Constitution, "Article II, Section 5: Who shall not hold office," accessed May 23, 2025
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Chart of states with term limits," accessed February 16, 2021
- ↑ Ohio Constitution, "Article II, Section 11: Filling vacancy in house or senate seat," accessed February 2, 2023
- ↑ Cleveland.com, "Ohio is about to hold elections for unconstitutional congressional and legislative districts. Here’s how it happened," October 9, 2022
- ↑ Ohio Capital Journal, "Ohio Redistricting Commission adopts sixth version of Statehouse maps with bipartisan support," September 27, 2023
- ↑ WCBE, "Ohio Redistricting Commission unanimously approves 6th version of House and Senate maps," September 27, 2023
- ↑ WFMJ, "Newly enacted district maps challenged by voting rights groups," October 5, 2023
- ↑ AP, "Ohio Supreme Court dismisses 3 long-running redistricting lawsuits against state legislative maps," November 28, 2023
- ↑ Ohio Capital Journal, "Ohio Supreme Court dismisses redistricting challenge, leaving Statehouse maps in place," November 28, 2023
- ↑ Supreme Court of Ohio, "League of Women Voters v. Ohio Redistricting Commission," accessed September 11, 2024
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State, "Official election results," accessed December 21, 2016
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Ohio Secretary of State, "Candidate Listing By Office," accessed February 8, 2016
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Ohio Secretary of State, "2016 Official Elections Results," accessed August 29, 2016
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State, "Official primary election results for May 6, 2014," accessed July 3, 2014
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State, "Official 2012 General Election Results,” accessed October 25, 2013
- ↑ Ohio Chamber of Commerce, "2012 General Assembly Primary Candidates," January 17, 2012
