Theresa Gavarone

As a member of the Ohio Senate, Theresa Gavarone co-sponsored House Bill 6 (HB 6), the 2019 energy law later tied to what prosecutors described as the largest corruption scandal in Ohio history. The $60 million bribery and racketeering scheme, centered on former House Speaker Larry Householder, was funded by FirstEnergy Corporation. See Ohio nuclear bribery scandal.

According to campaign finance records, Gavarone received $1,500 from the FirstEnergy political action committee in 2018, $1,000 in May 2019, and $3,500 in 2020, during the period surrounding the introduction and passage of HB 6.^[1]

HB 6 authorized a $1.3 billion ratepayer-funded bailout for two nuclear plants formerly owned by a FirstEnergy subsidiary.^[2][3]

Gavarone was not charged in the federal bribery case. However, her co-sponsorship of HB 6 and campaign contributions from FirstEnergy drew criticism from watchdog organizations, which highlighted the utility’s extensive influence over Ohio lawmakers.^[4][5]

Gavarone was born in Dayton, Ohio, and attended Archbishop Alter High School in neighboring Kettering. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Bowling Green State University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Toledo College of Law, graduating in 1994. Soon after, she began practicing law in Bowling Green.^[6][7]

Along with her husband, Jim, Gavarone owns and operates Mr. Spots Philadelphia Steak Sandwich in Bowling Green along with practicing law.^[8] Gavarone was elected to two full terms on the Bowling Green City Council, winning in 2013 and again in 2015.

Ohio House of Representatives

In 2016, Tim Brown decided to step down from the Ohio House to take a position with the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments, allowing Speaker Cliff Rosenberger and the House Republican Caucus to select his successor. After vetting, Gavarone was chosen to complete the remainder of Brown's term and to take his place on the ballot for a full term beginning in 2017. She was seated in the House on August 2, 2016, and won elections for full terms in 2016 and again in 2018.

Gavarone was vice chair of the House Health Committee.^[9]

Ohio Senate

In 2019, Randy Gardner was appointed by Governor Mike DeWine as chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education. He resigned from the Senate in January. Gavarone immediately announced her intention to seek an appointment to the seat.^[10] On February 6, after unanimous approval by the Senate Republican Caucus, Gavarone was officially sworn in as a member of the Senate.^[11]

At the beginning of the 133rd General Assembly, Gavarone became vice chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee.

In June 2019, Gavarone sponsored legislation that would ban synthetic urine.^[12] In 2021, after Democratic candidates had won several races for the Supreme Court of Ohio in a row, Gavarone proposed a bill that would list the party affiliation of state supreme court judicial candidates on ballots.^[13]

Committee assignments

During the 134th General Assembly, Gavarone was assigned to the following Ohio Senate committees:^[14]

• (Chair of) Local Government and Elections Committee
• (Vice Chair of) Finance Committee
• Judiciary Committee
• Small Business & Economic Opportunity Committee
• Rules & Reference Committee

Additionally, Gavarone had the following special appointments:

• (Chair of) Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review
• (Vice Chair of) Ohio Ballot Board
• Joint Legislative Committee on Adoption Promotion and Support
• Ohio Child Support Guideline Advisory Council
• Great Lakes Commission
• National Council of State Legislatures Redistricting & Election Committee

2022 congressional election

Gavarone was a Republican candidate for Ohio's 9th congressional district in the 2022 election. She placed third in the May 3, 2022, Ohio primary, losing to J.R. Majewski, a nuclear power plant employee who came to prominence after painting a Trump sign on his lawn.^[15][16][17]

Gavarone and her husband have three children.^[18] Her full name is Theresa Charters Gavarone. ^[19] For 2023-2025 she voted absentee. ^[20]