The Honorable Dale Miller was elected to the Ohio State Senate in 2006 after a record of public service in Cleveland City Council and the Ohio House of Representatives. Today, as the ranking member of the Finance and Financial Institutions Committee, Miller continues advocating for economic development, educational opportunities and a sound environmental policy for the great state of Ohio.

Senator Miller believes that the middle class is the backbone of American democracy. Currently, unwise tax policies, a struggling economy as well as rising health care and tuition cost are threatening the well being of average Ohioans. Left unsolved, these issues will ultimately pose a threat to Ohio’s greatest asset, its middle class.
Dale Miller was born in Cleveland on Sept. 16, 1949. He attended Garfield Heights Public Schools, graduating in 1967. He went on to get a B.A. in Psychology from Case Western Reserve University. During his time in college, Miller participated in his first campaign, volunteering for Howard Metzenbaum in the 1970 U.S. Senate race. Miller graduated from Case Western with the Highest Honors in 1971.

Miller attended the University of Utah, where he obtained a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 1976. After a brief stint as a Program Evaluator for a Community Mental Health Center in North Platte, Neb., Miller returned to his home city of Cleveland. There, Miller worked as Program Evaluator and provided testing and counseling at the Community Guidance Mental Health Center. His work in the field fueled his future commitment to mental health issues.

In his first run for public office, Miller was elected to Cleveland City Council from the West Park area in 1979. Miller defeated the incumbent Bob Getz, 62% to 38%. In city council, Miller played the lead role in a successful effort to reduce the size of Cleveland City Council to reflect the city’s population change. Miller helped to bring major construction projects to Cleveland, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the Great Lakes Science Center, Jacobs Field and Browns Stadium. Miller also fought for neighborhood projects that increased the quality of life for many Cleveland residents.

In 1997, Miller was appointed to the Ohio House of Representatives to replace Patrick Sweeney (who was moving to the Ohio Senate). In the House, Miller joined the Democratic leadership team eventually becoming Minority Whip in 2003. As a State Representative, Miller passed legislation indexing the benefits from the homestead property tax discount to inflation. Miller also played a major role in the passage of House Bill 313, a statewide prescription drug discount bill of 2003.

On March 1, 2006, Miller was appointed State Senator to represent District 23, succeeding former Sen. Dan Brady, who took a position in Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson's administration. In November of the same year, Miller won his Senate seat with 68% of the vote.

Dale Miller married Carol Pierse at Middleburg Heights Community Church on Aug. 10, 1985. Dale Miller is a member of Archwood United Church of Christ, a congregation highly committed to diversity and inclusiveness. Miller’s faith informs his sense of empathy, tolerance and respect for others.
Senator Miller received Legislator of the Year awards from the Ohio AFL-CIO and the Public Children's Services Association of Ohio, 2005, as well as Louis Stokes Award for work on economic justice issues from Cleveland Jobs with Justice, 2004. Most recently, he received the 2008 Legislator of the Year Award from the Cuyahoga County Mental Health Board. He has also received special recognition from the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging for his work on behalf of seniors; and, from Equality Ohio for his leadership on the Equal Housing and Employment Act.

The Ohio Statehouse

Columbus, Ohio 43215

Phone: (614) 466-5123

SD23@maild.sen.state.oh.us