Bob Latta
Encyclopedia
Robert Edward 'Bob' Latta (born April 18, 1956) is the U.S. Representative
for , serving since 2007. He is a member of the Republican Party
. The district, the second-largest in the state, includes most of Toledo
's suburbs, including Fremont
and Bowling Green
.
, Latta earned his B.A.
at Bowling Green State University
in 1978 and his J.D.
at the University of Toledo College of Law
in 1981. His father, Del Latta
, represented the 5th from 1959 to 1989 and served as ranking Republican on the House Budget Committee
from 1975 to his retirement.
Latta worked as a private practice attorney before entering politics.
Commissioner from 1991 to 1997. He then represented Ohio's 2nd senate district in the Ohio Senate
from 1997 to 2001 and Ohio's 6th house district in the Ohio House of Representatives
from 2001 to 2007.
who went on to win the general election.
, among other candidates, in the November primary. In the special general election
, Latta defeated Democratic
candidate Robin Weirauch
on December 11, 2007 by a margin of 57% to 43%. He was sworn in on December 13, 2007.
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
for , serving since 2007. He is a member of the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
. The district, the second-largest in the state, includes most of Toledo
Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
's suburbs, including Fremont
Fremont, Ohio
Fremont Public Schools enroll 4,450 students in public primary and secondary schools. The district administers 9 public schools including seven elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school, Fremont Ross. In addition, the city is home to one private catholic high school, Saint Joseph...
and Bowling Green
Bowling Green, Ohio
Bowling Green is the county seat of Wood County in the U.S. state of Ohio. At the time of the 2010 census, the population of Bowling Green was 30,028. It is part of the Toledo, Ohio Metropolitan Statistical Area. Bowling Green is the home of Bowling Green State University...
.
Early life, education and career
Born in Bluffton, OhioBluffton, Ohio
Bluffton is a village in Allen and Hancock counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. It had a population of 3,896 at the 2000 census. Bluffton is home to Bluffton University, a four-year educational institution affiliated with Mennonite Church USA. Bluffton is served by the Bluffton general aviation...
, Latta earned his B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
at Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University, often referred to as Bowling Green or BGSU, is a public, coeducational research university located in Bowling Green, Ohio, United States. The institution was granted a charter in 1910 by the State of Ohio as part of the Lowry Bill, which also established Kent State...
in 1978 and his J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
at the University of Toledo College of Law
University of Toledo College of Law
The University of Toledo College of Law is the law school at the University of Toledo, and is located on the University's main campus in a residential suburb in west Toledo.-Admission:...
in 1981. His father, Del Latta
Del Latta
Delbert Leroy "Del" Latta is a former member of the United States House of Representatives. Latta was a Republican from Ohio.-Life and career:...
, represented the 5th from 1959 to 1989 and served as ranking Republican on the House Budget Committee
United States House Committee on the Budget
The U.S. House Committee on the Budget, commonly known as the House Budget Committee, is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives, the lower house of Congress...
from 1975 to his retirement.
Latta worked as a private practice attorney before entering politics.
Ohio political career
Latta served as a Wood CountyWood County, Ohio
Wood County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 125,488. Its county seat is Bowling Green. The county was named for Captain Eleazer D. Wood, the engineer for General William Henry Harrison's army, who built Fort Meigs in the War of 1812...
Commissioner from 1991 to 1997. He then represented Ohio's 2nd senate district in 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...
from 1997 to 2001 and Ohio's 6th house district in 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....
from 2001 to 2007.
Committee assignments
- Committee on Energy and CommerceUnited States House Committee on Energy and CommerceThe Committee on Energy and Commerce is one of the oldest standing committees of the United States House of Representatives. Established in 1795, it has operated continuously—with various name changes and jurisdictional changes—for more than 200 years...
- Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
- Subcommittee on Environment and EconomyUnited States House Energy Subcommittee on Environment and EconomyThe Energy Subcommittee on Environment and Economy is a subcommittee within the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Prior to 2009, it was known as the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials, and was part of the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment from 2009 to 2011...
- Subcommittee on Health
1988
When Del Latta decided to retire from Congress in 1988, Bob Latta ran for the seat. However, he lost by twenty-seven votes to then Ohio State Senate president Paul GillmorPaul Gillmor
Paul Eugene Gillmor was an American politician of the Republican Party who served as the U.S. Representative from the 5th congressional district of Ohio from 1989 until his death....
who went on to win the general election.
2007
After Gillmor's sudden death in September 2007, Latta decided to run again for the open seat. He defeated state senator Steve BuehrerSteve Buehrer
Stephen P. Buehrer is a former Republican member of the Ohio Senate who represented the 1st District, and was an unsuccessful candidate for U.S. Congress in the special election for Ohio's 5th congressional district to replace the late Paul Gillmor...
, among other candidates, in the November primary. In the special general election
Ohio's 5th congressional district special election, 2007
The 2007 special election in Ohio's 5th congressional district occurred when the district became vacant following the death of incumbent Paul E. Gillmor. A special election to fill the seat was called by Ohio Governor Ted Strickland for December 11, 2007. Republican nominee and Ohio State Senator...
, Latta defeated Democratic
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...
candidate Robin Weirauch
Robin Weirauch
Robin Weirauch is an American politician of the Democratic party who was the party's 2004 and 2006 nominee to challenge incumbent Republican U.S. Representative Paul Gillmor for the seat in Ohio's 5th congressional district.Weirauch is the daughter of a retired Master Staff Sergeant in the United...
on December 11, 2007 by a margin of 57% to 43%. He was sworn in on December 13, 2007.
2010
Latta faced Democratic nominee Caleb Finkenbiner and Libertarian nominee Brian L. Smith in the general election, he won the election.External links
- Congressman Bob Latta official U.S. House site
- Bob Latta for U.S. Congress official campaign site