John Boccieri

John Boccieri
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 59th district
Incumbent
Assumed office September 29, 2015
Preceded by	Ron Gerberry
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 16th district
In office January 3, 2009 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by	Ralph Regula
Succeeded by	Jim Renacci
Member of the Ohio Senate from the 33rd district
In office 1 January 2007 – 31 December 2008
Preceded by	Bob Hagan
Succeeded by	Joe Schiavoni
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 61st district
In office January 3, 2001 – December 31, 2006
Preceded by	Ron Hood
Succeeded by	Mark Okey
Personal details
Born	October 5, 1969 Youngstown, Ohio
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Stacey Kennedy-Boccieri
Residence	Poland, Ohio
Alma mater	St. Bonaventure University (B.S.) Webster University (M.A./M.P.A.)
Profession	Air Force Officer Politician
Religion	Roman Catholic
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Air Force
Years of service	1994–1998 (Air Force 1998-present (Air Force Reserve)
Rank	Lieutenant Colonel
Battles/wars	Operation Iraqi Freedom

John Boccieri (born October 5, 1969) is an American politician who has represented the 59th district in the Ohio House of Representatives since being appointed to fill a vacancy on September 29, 2015. He served as the U.S. Representative for Ohio's 16th congressional district from 2009 to 2011, and lost his 2010 bid for reelection to Republican Jim Renacci. He is a member of the Democratic Party, and previously served in the Ohio State Senate and the Ohio House of Representatives. Boccieri resides in Poland, Ohio.^[1]

Early life and career

Boccieri was born in Youngstown where he graduated from Ursuline High School in 1988. He attended St. Bonaventure University in New York, graduating with a B.S. in 1992, after which he played minor league baseball in the Frontier League. Following one season of baseball, he began his career in government. After working as staff for several members of the Ohio House of Representatives, Boccieri joined the United States Air Force as a second lieutenant. He also earned two master's degrees (M.A. 1992, M.P.A. 1996) from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri.^[2] Boccieri flew the C-130 Hercules as a member of the Air Force Reserve. He has been forward deployed several times and served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, causing him to take leaves of absence from the Ohio Legislature.

After leaving the active duty Air Force, he re-entered politics, running for and winning the 61st District of the Ohio House of Representatives in 2000. In 2006, he won a seat in the Ohio State Senate in District 33; he was unopposed.

United States Congress

There had been speculation throughout 2007 that Boccieri would challenge U.S. Representative Ralph Regula to represent the 16th District in the U.S. House, a seat Regula had held for 36 years. When Regula announced his retirement in late 2007, Boccieri faced an open field. He defeated State Legislator Mary Cirelli with 64% of the vote in the Democratic primary. He faced and defeated State Senator Kirk Schuring in the general election.^[3] He was the first Democrat to represent this district in 58 years.^[4]

On October 30, 2010, Boccieri ran offstage while former President Bill Clinton was giving a speech after learning that his pregnant wife was in labor.^[5]

On November 2, 2010, Boccieri lost his bid for a second term in Congress after being defeated by Republican businessman Jim Renacci. He was defeated handily in an overwhelmingly Republican year; Boccieri received only 40% of the vote, compared to 52% for Renacci (a Libertarian candidate took the remaining votes).^[6]

Return to Ohio House of Representatives

On September 29, 2015 Boccieri was appointed to the Ohio House of Representatives, filling the 59th District vacancy caused by the resignation of Ron Gerberry.^[7]

References

1. Associated Press (September 29, 2015). "John Boccieri named to vacant seat in Ohio House". Times Reporter (New Philadelphia, OH).
2. "BOCCIERI, John A. - Biographical Information". congress.gov. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
3. "Ohio Election Results, 2008". The New York Times.
4. Barone, Michael (October 18, 2010). "Dems Find Careers Threatened by Obamacare Votes". Rasmussen Reports. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
5. "Ohio Congressman Leaves Rally as Wife Gives Birth". The New York Times. October 30, 2010.
6. "Renacci sweeps to victory over Boccieri". The Repository. November 3, 2010.
7. Jo, Ingles (September 29, 2015). "New Members are Appointed to the Ohio House of Representatives: Former Congressman John Boccieri and Ottawa County Commissioner Steven Arndt are the Newest Additions to the Ohio House". WKSU Radio (Kent, OH).

External links

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Profile at Project Vote Smart
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Legislation sponsored at The Library of Congress