Sean O'Brien (Ohio politician)

Sean O'Brien (born August 19, 1968) is a Judge of the Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas in Ohio.[1] Judge O'Brien is a former Democratic member of the Ohio Senate who represented the 32nd district. The district includes all of Ashtabula and Trumbull counties, as well as a portion of Geauga County (including the City of Chardon; but excluding Chardon Township). O'Brien formerly served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 2011 to 2016.

Sean O'Brien
Judge of the Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas
In office
January 1, 2023 – Present
Preceded byW. Wyatt McKay
Member of the Ohio Senate
from the 32nd district
In office
January 3, 2017 – December 31, 2020
Preceded byCapri Cafaro
Succeeded bySandra O'Brien
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the 63rd district
In office
January 3, 2011 – December 31, 2016
Preceded bySandra Harwood
Succeeded byGlenn Holmes
Personal details
Born (1968-08-19) August 19, 1968 (age 56)
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseMaria O'Brien
Children2
ResidenceBazetta Township, Ohio
Alma materEdinboro University (B.S.)
University of Akron (J.D.)
ProfessionLawyer

Life and career

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A lifelong resident of the Mahoning Valley, O'Brien went on to graduate from Edinboro University before earning his law degree from the University of Akron. O'Brien founded the Trumbull County Community Foundation, an economic development not-for-profit. He is married with two daughters.[2]

O'Brien was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in November 2010 with 64.53% of the vote, defeating Republican Geno Capone and Independent Werner Lange.[3] He won reelection in 2012, garnering 72.46% of the vote,[4] and again in 2014 with 66%.[5] Prior to his election O'Brien served as assistant prosecutor in Trumbull County.[6]

Ohio Senate

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In 2016, ten-year incumbent Capri Cafaro was ineligible to run for re-election to the Ohio Senate due to term-limits. O'Brien made it known fairly early that he intended to succeed her. While initially he faced competition for the nomination from Tom Letson, Letson eventually dropped out.[7] In the primary, he faced political newcomer Kristen Rock, but defeated her easily 62% to 38% to take the nomination.[8]

While Donald Trump won the district in 2016, O'Brien easily defeated Republican Robert Allen, 56% to 44% to take the seat in the general election.[9] He was sworn in on January 3, 2017.

On November 3, 2020 O'Brien lost re-election to former Ashtabula County Auditor Sandra O'Brien.[10]

Committee assignments

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  • Senate Committee on Agriculture (Ranking Minority Member)[11]
  • Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (Ranking Minority Member)[12]
  • Senate Committee on Insurance and Financial Institutions[13]
  • Senate Committee on Judiciary[14]
  • Senate Committee on Local Government, Public Safety and Veteran's Affairs[15]
  • Senate Committee on Public Utilities[16]
  • Senate Committee on Ways and Means[17]
  • Senate Committee on Finance Subcommittee on General Government and Agency Review (Vice Chair)[18]

References

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  1. ^ "Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas General Division". Trumbull County Clerk of Courts. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  2. ^ "Sean O'Brien takes Senate seat in 32nd District". Retrieved 2017-01-15.
  3. ^ "Ohio House of Representatives: November 2, 2010". Ohio Secretary of State. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
  4. ^ "Trumbull County Board of Elections: November 6, 2012 Official Results". Trumbull County Board of Elections. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  5. ^ "Our Campaigns - OH State House 63 Race - Nov 04, 2014". Retrieved 2017-01-15.
  6. ^ "Air Force Vet Vies for Ohio House Seat". wytv News. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
  7. ^ "Youngstown news, State Rep. Sean O'Brien will run next year for the Ohio Senate". Retrieved 2017-01-15.
  8. ^ "Our Campaigns - OH State Senate 32 - D Primary Race - Mar 15, 2016". Retrieved 2017-01-15.
  9. ^ "Our Campaigns - OH State Senate 32 Race - Nov 08, 2016". Retrieved 2017-01-15.
  10. ^ "Sandra O'Brien unseats Sean O'Brien in 32nd District Ohio Senate seat". Retrieved 2020-11-10.
  11. ^ "Agriculture Committee | The Ohio Senate". www.ohiosenate.gov. Retrieved 2018-08-01.
  12. ^ "Energy and Natural Resources Committee | The Ohio Senate". www.ohiosenate.gov. Retrieved 2018-08-01.
  13. ^ "Insurance and Financial Institutions Committee | The Ohio Senate". www.ohiosenate.gov. Retrieved 2018-08-01.
  14. ^ "Judiciary Committee | The Ohio Senate". www.ohiosenate.gov. Retrieved 2018-08-01.
  15. ^ "Local Government, Public Safety and Veterans Affairs Committee | The Ohio Senate". www.ohiosenate.gov. Retrieved 2018-08-01.
  16. ^ "Public Utilities Committee | The Ohio Senate". www.ohiosenate.gov. Retrieved 2018-08-01.
  17. ^ "Ways and Means Committee | The Ohio Senate". www.ohiosenate.gov. Retrieved 2018-08-01.
  18. ^ "General Government and Agency Review Subcommittee | The Ohio Senate". www.ohiosenate.gov. Retrieved 2018-08-01.
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