Tim Schaffer
Encyclopedia
Tim Schaffer is a Republican
member of the Ohio Senate
who has represented the 31st District since 2007. He was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from 2001 until 2006. He serves as Chairman of the Senate Ways and Means and Economic Development Committee.
, and has also served as chairman of the Fairfield County, Ohio
Republican Party.
With Representative Jon D. Myers
unable to run for another term due to term limitations, Schaffer, along with Bryan Fox, vied for the Republican nomination. Schaffer won the nomination with 58% of the electorate. He faced Democrat Dennis Lupher in the general election, and won again with 58% of the votes.
In 2002, Schaffer coasted to a second term unopposed. In 2004, Schaffer again faced primary opposition in Bradley J. Sodders, but won with 85.58% of the vote. He again ran unopposed in the general election, and was sworn into a third term on January 3, 2005.
, Schaffer sacrificed a fourth term in the House to run for the Thirty First District of the Senate. In a three-way primary with fellow Representative Ron Hood
and Jeff Furr, Schaffer won the nomination with 48.59% of the vote. Again facing Dennis Lupher, Schaffer moved to the Senate, earning 57.26% of the votes. In his first term, Schaffer served as Chairman of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee in the 128th General Assembly.
In 2010, Schaffer, again facing Lupher, won a second Senate term with 67.29% of the vote. Subsequently, Senate President Tom Niehaus
named Schaffer as a member of the committees on Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources (as vice chairman); Energy and Public Utilities; Insurance, Commerce and Labor; and Ways and Means and Economic Development (as Chairman). He also serves on the Council on Unreclaimed
Strip Mined Lands.
Schaffer has also introduced legislation that allows for holders of a concealed carry
license to carry their weapons in bars and restaurants provided that they are not consuming alcohol. The bill has been controversial, but was expected to pass the Republican-controlled Ohio Senate. Shaffer has stated Ohio is the only state with "specific mandates" on how guns must be carried in vehicles. He said the restrictions are confusing and have led to the arrest of out-of-state residents unaware of the law. The National Rifle Association
-backed bill was staunchly opposed by law enforcement groups such as the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police and Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio
. The bill ultimately passed and was signed into law by Ohio Governor John Kasich
.
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...
member of 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...
who has represented the 31st District since 2007. He was a 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....
from 2001 until 2006. He serves as Chairman of the Senate Ways and Means and Economic Development Committee.
Career
Schaffer holds a B.A. in Political Science and Communications from Mount Union CollegeMount Union College
The University of Mount Union is a 4-year private, coeducational, liberal arts college in Alliance, Ohio.Mount Union enrolls 2200 undergraduates. Approximately 50 percent are women and 50 percent are men, representing more than 22 states and 13 countries. Mount Union has an active alumni base of...
, and has also served as chairman of the Fairfield County, Ohio
Fairfield County, Ohio
Fairfield County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. As of 2010, the population was 146,156. Its county seat is Lancaster. Its name is a reference to the Fairfield area of the original Lancaster....
Republican Party.
With Representative Jon D. Myers
Jon D. Myers
Jon Myers is a current lobbyist for the Community Bankers Association of Ohio, and was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from -2000. His district consisted of a portion of Licking County, Ohio. He was succeeded by Tim Schaffer....
unable to run for another term due to term limitations, Schaffer, along with Bryan Fox, vied for the Republican nomination. Schaffer won the nomination with 58% of the electorate. He faced Democrat Dennis Lupher in the general election, and won again with 58% of the votes.
In 2002, Schaffer coasted to a second term unopposed. In 2004, Schaffer again faced primary opposition in Bradley J. Sodders, but won with 85.58% of the vote. He again ran unopposed in the general election, and was sworn into a third term on January 3, 2005.
Ohio Senate
Since Jay Hottinger was unable to run again for his seat in the Ohio SenateOhio 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...
, Schaffer sacrificed a fourth term in the House to run for the Thirty First District of the Senate. In a three-way primary with fellow Representative Ron Hood
Ron Hood
Ron Hood is a former Republican legislator in the Ohio House of Representatives. He represented, at various times, both the 57th and the 91st districts. He most recently lost a primary bid for Ohio's seventh Congressional District on March 4, 2008.-Education:A graduate of the Max M...
and Jeff Furr, Schaffer won the nomination with 48.59% of the vote. Again facing Dennis Lupher, Schaffer moved to the Senate, earning 57.26% of the votes. In his first term, Schaffer served as Chairman of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee in the 128th General Assembly.
In 2010, Schaffer, again facing Lupher, won a second Senate term with 67.29% of the vote. Subsequently, Senate President Tom Niehaus
Tom Niehaus
Tom Niehaus is a Republican member of the Ohio Senate, representing the 14th District since 2005. Previously he was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 2000 until 2004. Niehaus succeeded Ohio Senate President Doug White, who was prevented by Ohio's term limits law from running for...
named Schaffer as a member of the committees on Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources (as vice chairman); Energy and Public Utilities; Insurance, Commerce and Labor; and Ways and Means and Economic Development (as Chairman). He also serves on the Council on Unreclaimed
Strip Mined Lands.
Policies, positions and initiatives
For one of his first measures in the 129th General Assembly, Schaffer has introduced a bill that directs the state auditor to conduct at least four performance audits per biennium of two executive agencies and two non-executive agencies.Schaffer has also introduced legislation that allows for holders of a concealed carry
Concealed carry
Concealed carry, or CCW , refers to the practice of carrying a handgun or other weapon in public in a concealed manner, either on one's person or in proximity.-In Canada:...
license to carry their weapons in bars and restaurants provided that they are not consuming alcohol. The bill has been controversial, but was expected to pass the Republican-controlled Ohio Senate. Shaffer has stated Ohio is the only state with "specific mandates" on how guns must be carried in vehicles. He said the restrictions are confusing and have led to the arrest of out-of-state residents unaware of the law. The National Rifle Association
National Rifle Association
The National Rifle Association of America is an American non-profit 501 civil rights organization which advocates for the protection of the Second Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights and the promotion of firearm ownership rights as well as marksmanship, firearm safety, and the protection...
-backed bill was staunchly opposed by law enforcement groups such as the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police and Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio
Fraternal Order of Police
The Fraternal Order of Police is an organization of sworn law enforcement officers in the United States. It claims a membership of over 325,000 members organized in 2100 local chapters , organized into local lodges, state lodges, and the national Grand Lodge...
. The bill ultimately passed and was signed into law by Ohio Governor John Kasich
John Kasich
John Richard Kasich is the 69th and current Governor of Ohio. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing from 1983 to 2001...
.
External links
- The Ohio Senate: Senator Tim Schaffer (R-Lancaster) official site
- Project Vote Smart - Senator Tim Schaffer (OH) profile
- Follow the Money - Tim Schaffer