Education
Born and raised in southeastern Ohio, Senator Balderson graduated from Zanesville High School in 1980 and attended both Muskingum College and The Ohio State University.
Born and raised in southeastern Ohio, Senator Balderson graduated from Zanesville High School in 1980 and attended both Muskingum College and The Ohio State University.
He is the chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. He is a Republican.
His family has owned and operated a farm in Salem Township for several generations. He also co-owns an automotive dealership that has been in the family for three generations.
Having competed in many races and triathlons, Balderson leads a very active lifestyle.
He has one son, Joshua, and remains very involved with community organizations. He resides in Zanesville, Ohio.
When incumbent Jim Aslanides became term-limited, Balderson sought the Republican nomination for State Representative of the 94th Ohio House District. Balderson faced Democrat Jennifer Stewart in the general election.
Democrats hoped that Stewart would build on solid party showings from the previous election cycle.
Having received 54.01%, Balderson was elected to his first term in the Ohio House of Representatives. Balderson was unopposed for his seat in the 2010 general election and was awarded a second term. While serving in the Ohio House of Representatives, Balderson was appointed to the powerful House Finance Committee and also presided as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Agriculture and Natural Resources.
In late May 2011, State Senator Jimmy Stewart announced that he planned to resign his seat in the 20th Senate District at the end of the fiscal year.
Stewart continued his service as majority floor leader until he resigned. On July 12, 2011, Senate President Tom Niehaus announced that Balderson would be appointed to the vacant Senate seat.
He was sworn into office on July 13, 2011. Balderson was selected in 2014 as co-chair of a special legislative committee to review Ohio"s renewable energy and energy efficiency regulations.
Committee assignments
Energy and Natural Resources—Chair
Agriculture
Education
Finance: General Government Subcommittee
Public Utilities
Transportation
Workforce and Economic Development
Special committee on REC and Electrical engineer-Chair.
Formerly, he was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives.