Karen L. Gillmor proudly represents Ohio’s 26th Senate District. With over 30 years of public service experience, Senator Gillmor has had a significant impact on the state of Ohio and its citizens.

Senator Gillmor is a lifelong Ohioan who graduated from Rocky River High School and then went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts with honors from Michigan State University, and a Master of Arts and a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. Her career spans the fields of education, health care, and finance. In 1992 and 1996, she was elected to the Ohio State Senate representing the 26th District.

During that time, Senator Gillmor authored legislation to restructure and streamline government operations by eliminating two state agencies and privatizing state printing; require adult care facilities to complete criminal background checks on job applicants who would provide direct care to patients; provide a tax credit to employers who offer childcare assistance to their employees, and create managed health care for injured workers.

Senator Gillmor was also the principal co-sponsor of a bill that created the Ohio School Facilities Commission, which, since 1997, has approved more than $8.5 billion for the construction, renovation, and repair of school buildings around the state of Ohio.

In 2008, the voters of the 26th Senate District once again sent Karen Gillmor to the Ohio Senate to represent their best interests. Senator Gillmor serves on the Senate Insurance, Commerce, and Labor Committee, Senate Finance and Financial Institutions Committee, Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee, and Senate Agriculture Committee. Additionally, she was named Vice Chairman of the Senate Health, Human Services, and Aging Committee.

Her highest legislative priority is economic development and jobs for Ohioans. She authored the 2009 law that boosts Ohio’s agriculture industry through increased use of bio-products by state agencies and public institutions of higher education. She also authored the Manufacturers Tax Credit, which brought $2 billion in new investment to the state by 400 companies in its first two years.

Senator Gillmor was named Ohio Outstanding Freshman Legislator by the United Conservatives of Ohio, and National Outstanding Freshman Legislator of the Year by the National Republican Legislators Association. She received the Outstanding Leadership Award from The Ohio State University and Legislator of the Year from the Ohio Corn Growers Association, Ohio Soybean Association, and Ohio Wheat Growers Association. In addition, Senator Gillmor was awarded a Children's Champion of the Children's Defense Fund award in 2009. She has been a member of the Advisory Council to the Childhood League Center and a trustee of the U.S. Capitol Childcare Center. Additionally, she currently serves as a trustee of Heidelberg University, the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center, and the National First Ladies Library.

Nationally, Senator Gillmor serves on the Health Committee of the American Legislative Exchange Council, as well as the Health and Human Services Committee and Energy Committee of the Council of State Governments’ Midwestern Region.

Senator Karen Gillmor’s primary love is for her family. She was married to United States Congressman Paul Gillmor, who passed away on September 5, 2007. Now, she devotes her time to her three sons – Paul Michael and twins Connor and Adam, and two daughters – Linda and Julie.

The Ohio Statehouse

Columbus, Ohio 43215

Phone: (614) 466-8049

SD26@senate.state.oh.us