Nickie Antonio

Nickie J. Antonio
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the 13th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2011
Preceded by Michael J. Skindell
Member of the
Lakewood City Council
In office
2005–2010
Constituency At-large
Personal details
Born (1955-06-02) June 2, 1955
Political party Democratic
Domestic partner Jean Kosmac
Residence Lakewood, Ohio
Alma mater Cleveland State University
Profession Educator

Nickie J. Antonio (born June 2, 1955) is a politician from Lakewood, Ohio. A Democrat, she serves in the Ohio House of Representatives representing the 13th district, which is located entirely within Cuyahoga County and contains all of the city of Lakewood as well as parts of Cleveland. A former member of Lakewood City Council, she was elected to the legislature in 2010 and took office on January 3, 2011 and re-elected in the 2012 General election receiving 75% of the vote.

Early life and career

Antonio attended Lutheran High School West and is an alumna of Cleveland State University, where she earned both a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and a Master of Public Administration.[1] She is a former special education teacher, adjunct professor and non-profit administrator, as well as a former chair of the Cuyahoga Democratic Women's Caucus.[2]

Antonio was first elected to Lakewood City Council in 2005, winning an at-large seat. She was re-elected in 2009, receiving the most votes in a field of six candidates chasing three seats.

Ohio House of Representatives

Antonio won in the Democratic primary against fellow Lakewood councilmember Tom Bullock. In the primary election held on May 4, 2010, Antonio defeated Bullock by 54% to 46% - a margin of 609 votes.[3] No Republican filed for the seat in the heavily Democratic district so Antonio won the general election unopposed.[4]

She took her seat in the House on January 3, 2011. In the 129th General Assembly, she served on five committees: Finance and Appropriations, HHS Finance Subcommittee, Commerce, Labor and Technology, Education (as Ranking Member), and Health and Aging. She also serves on the Unified Long-Term Care Advisory Workgroup, the 21st Century Manufacturing Task Force and the Community Health Futures Task Force.

Antonio won a landslide victory reelection to a second term in 2012, by obtaining 75,86% of the vote over Republican John Zappalla.[5]

Policies and initiatives

In one of her first legislative priorities along with Ted Celeste, Antonio introduced legislation to eliminate the death penalty in the state of Ohio.[6] Celeste has pointed to evidence that the penalty has been discriminatory toward minorities.[7]

Antonio is a staunch opponent of S.B. 5, which looks to eliminate many aspects of collective bargaining. When asked if she would work to amend the bill, she stated it is beyond repair.[8]

Along with Mike Foley, Antonio introduced a Works Progress Administration-style provision that would allow for $200 million to be appropriated to allow for the creation of 5,000 entry-level jobs across Ohio. Antonio calls it a jobs plan that would help to stimulate the economy.[9]

Pro-choice, Antonio has fought against numerous anti-reproductive choice initiatives since becoming a state representative.[10]

Personal

Antonio is a lesbian; her partner is Jean Kosmac and the couple have two daughters.[11] She is the first openly gay person to have served in the Ohio General Assembly.[2][12]

References

  1. ↑ "The Voter Guide, State Representative 13th District".
  2. 1 2 "Lakewood council member Nickie Antonio might become first openly gay state lawmaker". The Plain Dealer. 9 May 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-09.
  3. ↑ "Nickie J. Antonio wins Democratic nomination for District 13 Ohio House Representative". Sun Post Herald. 5 May 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  4. ↑ "Election Results - Ohio House of Representatives: November 2, 2010". Ohio Secretary of State. Retrieved 2013-08-14.
  5. ↑ "Election Results - Final Results - November 2012" (Microsoft Excel). Ohio Secretary of State. Retrieved 2013-08-14.
  6. ↑ Johnson, Alan (2011-03-15). "Bill proposes ending Ohio's death penalty". Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2011-03-15.
  7. ↑ Johnson, Alan (2011-04-13). "2 Democrats seek end to Ohio death penalty". Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2011-04-14.
  8. ↑ Guillen, Joe (2011-03-29). "Ohio's collective bargaining overhaul could see nearly a dozen changes before House committee vote on Tuesday". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 2011-03-30.
  9. ↑ Hershey, Bill (2011-06-14). "Two House Dems propose $400M public works jobs' plan". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved 2011-06-14.
  10. ↑ Hershey, Bill (2011-06-29). "House set to vote Tuesday on "Heartrbeat" bill, two other draconian bills to limit abortions". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved 2011-06-28.
  11. ↑ "About Nickie J. Antonio".
  12. ↑ "Lesbian On Tuesday's Ballot For Ohio State Representative". On Top Magazine. 4 May 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
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