Education
University of Cincinnati.
University of Cincinnati.
Before the Senate, he served three terms non-consecutively in the Ohio House of Representatives. He is a Republican. After graduation from the University of Cincinnati, Widener served two terms on the Mad River-Greene Local Board of Education before starting his legislative career. His resume includes a stint as a civil service architect at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, where he also served as the base"s first full-time historic preservation officer until 1989.
In the 2004 cycle, Widener again faced a primary challenge against fellow Republican Robert Rogers III. He defeated Rogers with 65% of the vote.
In January of 2016, Widener announced his retirement after nearly two decades of public service. In 2008, Senator Steve Austria was term limited and running for Congress, and Widener declared his candidacy for his Senate seat.
In the general election, Widener faced Clark County Commissioner Roger Tackett. Widener served as Chairman of the Energy & Public Utilities Committee in the 128th General Assembly, and in the 129th General Assembly, Senate President Tom Niehaus named Widener as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, He also serves on the State Controlling Board.
And to the State Council on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.
As Chairman of the Finance Committee, Widener played a leading role in shaping the biennium budget. Widener was also a key player on the conference committee on the budget, where the budget was finished, and helped to pass the final budget for 2012-2013. Widener has faced controversy for trying to shield public records related to Senate parking key cards.
Foreign this and other reasons, the Cleveland Plain Dealer in an editorial named Widener the worst person in the Ohio General Assembly.
Committee assignments
Committee on Rules.
Widener was appointed to his first term as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives in 1999, but lost the party nomination to reelection to Merle G. Kearns, a prominent state Senator who was facing term limits.