Jerry Cirino

Jerry C. Cirino
Member of the Ohio Senate
from the 18th district
Assumed office
January 4, 2021
Preceded byJohn Eklund
Personal details
PartyRepublican
SpouseDonna
Alma materLake Erie College (BA), (MBA)

Jerry C. Cirino is a retired medical device company executive serving as a member of the Ohio Senate representing the 18th district. A Republican, he was elected in 2020, defeating Democrat Betsy Rader with 60% of the vote.[1] Prior to his election he served as Lake County Commissioner.[2] On January 22, 2025, Cirino introduced Senate Bill 1, also known as the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act, in the Ohio Senate.[3]

He received a B.S. in business as well as an M.B.A. from Lake Erie College in Ohio. He is a member of the Roman Catholic Church. He and his wife Donna have nine children.[4]

Cirino has been critical of pro-Palestinian student protesters during the Gaza war protests at Ohio State[5] and has advocated for Ohio Senate Bill 87—a bill intended add ethnic intimidation charges to pro-Palestinian student protesters charged with disorderly conduct.[6][7]

References

  1. ^ "Ohio State Senate District 18". Ballotpedia. Retrieved Jan 17, 2021.
  2. ^ "Senator Jerry C. Cirino - Bio". Ohio Senate. Retrieved Jan 17, 2021.
  3. ^ "'Cirino Introduces Landmark Higher Education Legislation'". Ohio Senate. Retrieved Jan 22, 2025.
  4. ^ https://www.ohiosenate.gov/members/jerry-c-cirino/biography
  5. ^ "New OSU President Passes First Test with Flying Colors". Ohio Senate. Archived from the original on September 26, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  6. ^ "Senate Bill 87 (136th General Assembly), As Introduced" (PDF). Ohio Legislature. Ohio General Assembly. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
  7. ^ Tebben, Susan (March 8, 2025). "Bill expanding 'ethnic intimidation,' defining antisemitism in Ohio reemerges at Statehouse". Mahoning Matters. Retrieved August 17, 2025 – via Ohio Capital Journal.