Faber takes over as Ohio Senate president
Celina Republican Keith Faber becomes the new president of the Ohio Senate today, succeeding outgoing Senate president Tom Niehaus, R-New Richmond.
Faber will be sworn in today by Ohio Supreme Court Justice Sharon Kennedy.
According to the Lima News, Faber is the first Senate president from Mercer County since Thomas Godfrey from 1868 to 1970.
Faber was unanimously elected by the Senate Majority Caucus to serve as president of the Ohio Senate for the 130th General Assembly in November.
Faber, who was first elected to the Ohio Senate in 2007, has served on the Senate leadership team since 2009 when he was elected Majority Floor Leader.
In 2012, Faber served as the Senate president pro temper, the chamber’s number two post. Prior to his time in the Ohio Senate, Faber served three terms in the Ohio House of Representatives.
“Keith Faber is an outstanding legislator with well-respected leadership abilities,” said outgoing Senate President Thomas E. Niehaus.
“I am confident with Senator Faber’s background in both the private and public sector. He has the experience the Senate needs to navigate these challenging economic times.”
The Senate president presides over the chamber when the Senate is in session and is in charge of enforcing the rules of the Senate. He also serves as the leader of the Majority Caucus.
“I am humbled that my Senate colleagues have placed their trust in my leadership for the coming General Assembly,” said Faber.
“As our economic recovery continues, I look forward to working with Governor Kasich and Speaker Batchelder to maintain a responsible, balanced state budget while continuing our work to make Ohio more business friendly.”
Having maintained their control of 23 of the chamber’s 33 seats, the Republicans continue to hold the largest Ohio Senate majority in more than four decades.
Faber take the gavels today as Senate president when the 130th General Assembly re-convenes.
Joining the new president will be a newly elected Republican leadership team that will be made up of Senator Chris Widener (R–Springfield) as president pro temper; Senator Tom Patton (R–Strongsville) who will return as Majority floor leader; and Senator Larry Obhof (R–Medina) who will serve as Majority whip.
Senator Faber resides just outside Celina with his wife and two children. He is active with the Chamber of Commerce, the Ohio Farm Bureau, and the Ohio Right to Life. He is also a member of the National Rifle Association and the Mercer County Sportsman Club.
Senator Faber represents Ohio's 12th Senate District, which includes Allen, Champaign, Mercer, Preble, and Shelby counties, as well as portions of Auglaize and Darke counties.