Annie L. Key
Encyclopedia
Annie Key is a former Democratic
member of the Ohio House of Representatives
, representing the 11th District from 2001−2006. A former telephone worker with Ohio Bell
and later AT&T
, Key initially ran for the Ohio House of Representatives
in 2000 to succeed Troy Lee James
, who had held the seat for 34 years and no longer could run due to term limits. She succeeded in her bid, and was seated on January 3, 2001. She would go on to win reelection in 2002, and 2004. By her second term, Key was serving as the ranking Democratic member on the Ethics and Elections Committee.
In 2006, Key opted to forgo another term in the House to run for the Ohio Senate
in an open seat. However, with the seat being incredibly Democratic, she faced a contentious primary against Shirley Smith
and Claudette Woodard
. In the end, Smith defeated Key, ultimately ending her political career in Columbus
. She was succeeded by her aide, Democrat Sandra Williams
.
Following her defeat, Key returned to Cleveland and remains active in the community.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the Ohio House of Representatives
Ohio House of Representatives
The Ohio House of Representatives is the lower house of the Ohio General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Ohio; the other house of the bicameral legislature being the Ohio Senate....
, representing the 11th District from 2001−2006. A former telephone worker with Ohio Bell
Ohio Bell
The Ohio Bell Telephone Company is the Bell Operating Company serving most of Ohio. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T.Its headquarters is the Ohio Bell Building at 750 Huron Road, Cleveland, Ohio...
and later AT&T
AT&T
AT&T Inc. is an American multinational telecommunications corporation headquartered in Whitacre Tower, Dallas, Texas, United States. It is the largest provider of mobile telephony and fixed telephony in the United States, and is also a provider of broadband and subscription television services...
, Key initially ran for the Ohio House of Representatives
Ohio House of Representatives
The Ohio House of Representatives is the lower house of the Ohio General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Ohio; the other house of the bicameral legislature being the Ohio Senate....
in 2000 to succeed Troy Lee James
Troy Lee James
Troy Lee James was a Democratic politician who formerly served in the Ohio House of Representatives. A former laborer and union leader, James initially ran for the Ohio House of Representatives in 1966, following the Voting Rights Act of 1965. He won, and was seated on January 3, 1967...
, who had held the seat for 34 years and no longer could run due to term limits. She succeeded in her bid, and was seated on January 3, 2001. She would go on to win reelection in 2002, and 2004. By her second term, Key was serving as the ranking Democratic member on the Ethics and Elections Committee.
In 2006, Key opted to forgo another term in the House to run for the Ohio Senate
Ohio Senate
The Ohio State Senate is the upper house of the Ohio General Assembly, the legislative body for the U.S. state of Ohio. There are 33 State Senators. The state legislature meets in the state capital, Columbus. The President of the Senate presides over the body when in session, and is currently Tom...
in an open seat. However, with the seat being incredibly Democratic, she faced a contentious primary against Shirley Smith
Shirley Smith
Shirley Smith may refer to:* Mum Smith, Aboriginal Australian famous for her welfare work* Shirley Smith , member of the Ohio Senate...
and Claudette Woodard
Claudette Woodard
Claudette Woodard is a former Democratic member of the Ohio House of Representatives, representing the 9th District from 2001-2006.-External links:**...
. In the end, Smith defeated Key, ultimately ending her political career in Columbus
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
. She was succeeded by her aide, Democrat Sandra Williams
Sandra Williams
Sandra Williams is a Democratic member of the Ohio House of Representatives who has represented the 11th District since 2007.-Career:A native of Cleveland, Williams attended Cleveland State University and Tiffin University. Williams worked in the field of criminal justice for more than a decade...
.
Following her defeat, Key returned to Cleveland and remains active in the community.