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Steve Huffman (Ohio politician)

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Stephen A. Huffman
Member of the
Ohio Senate
from the 5th district
Assumed office
January 1, 2019
Preceded byBill Beagle
Member of the
Ohio House of Representatives
from the 80th district
In office
January 3, 2015 – December 31, 2018
Preceded byRichard Adams
Succeeded byJena Powell
Personal details
Born (1964-11-14) November 14, 1964 (age 59)
Political partyRepublican
Residence(s)Tipp City, Ohio, U.S.

Stephen A. Huffman (born November 14, 1964) is a Republican member of the Ohio Senate, representing the 5th district since 2019. Previously, Huffman served two terms in the Ohio House of Representatives.

Life and career

Born to a Jewish family, Huffman is a lifelong resident of Miami County and was raised in Ludlow Falls, Ohio. He graduated from the University of Toledo and has been a practicing physician for nearly 20 years.[1] In 2013, Huffman announced that he was running for the Ohio House of Representatives after the incumbent, Richard Adams, announced he was not seeking another term.[2] Huffman won a three-way primary with 45% of the vote, and won the general election to take the seat with 77% of the vote.[3]

Ohio Senate

In 2018, state Senator Bill Beagle was term-limited, leaving the 5th district an open seat for that year's election. As a result, Huffman opted to forego another term in the Ohio House to run for the Senate seat.[4] A competitive seat, the 5th district was a Democratic stronghold until it was won by Beagle in 2010.[5] Despite this, Huffman prevailed, winning over Democrat Paul Bradley, 53% to 47%.[6]

Huffman was sworn in for his first term on January 1, 2019.

Controversy

In December 2019, the Washington Post detailed how an editorial in the Sidney Daily News against Medicare for all by Huffman[7] was drafted with the help of lobbyist Kathleen DeLand of the pharmaceutical, hospital, and healthcare insurance lobbying group, Partnership for America’s Health Care Future.[8] Two Montana state lawmakers, Rep. Kathy Kelker and Sen. Jen Gross, were also implicated.[8]

In a June 9, 2020 hearing on whether to declare racism a public health crisis in Ohio, Huffman asked if it were possible blacks were contracting coronavirus at higher rates because “the colored population do not wash their hands as well as other groups”.[9] Ohio Legislative Black Caucus President Stephanie Howse said, “The fact that a well-educated legislator – a Vice Chair of the Health Committee and a practicing medical doctor – would, in a public setting, nonchalantly use such antiquated terminology paired with a hurtful, racist stereotype all in one breath reflects how unconscious this problem of racism is for too many.”[10] Huffman later apologized.[10]

References

  1. ^ "About Steve Huffman". Retrieved 2014-12-06.
  2. ^ "Miami County coroner announces bid for state rep". Daily Advocate. Darke County, Ohio. 2013-12-19. Archived from the original on 2014-12-14. Retrieved 2014-12-06.
  3. ^ 2014 general election results, Ohio Secretary of State
  4. ^ "Rep. Steve Huffman announces candidacy for Ohio Senate - Daily Advocate". www.dailyadvocate.com. 2017-05-22. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
  5. ^ Lynn Hulsey, Staff Writer. "Republican Huffman wins state Senate 5th District race". daytondailynews. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
  6. ^ "Our Campaigns - OH State Senate 05 Race - Nov 06, 2018". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2019-01-28.
  7. ^ "Medicare for all not a workable solution - Sidney Daily News". Sidney Daily News. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  8. ^ a b "State lawmakers acknowledge lobbyists helped craft their op-eds attacking Medicare-for-all". Washington Post. Retrieved 2 December 2019. An aide to Ohio Sen. Huffman confirmed that their office worked with the consultant on Huffman's op-ed criticizing Medicare-for-all as "socialized medicine" and "not a workable solution." Asked whether that consultant had been hired by the Partnership for America's Health Care Future, the aide responded, "I believe so." Huffman's office declined additional requests for comment.
  9. ^ "Lawmaker asks if 'colored population' not washing their hands as well as others behind COVID rates". www.daytondailynews.com. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
  10. ^ a b Rowland, Darrel. "GOP Ohio state senator uses racist language in discussing whether African Americans get COVID-19 more". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2020-06-11.


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