Eugene Branstool
Encyclopedia
Eugene Branstool is an American
politician of the Democratic party. Branstool, a Utica, Ohio
, farmer, originally ran for a seat in the Ohio House of Representatives
in 1974, a beat Republican
Raymond Luther
in the general election. He won reelection in 1976, 1978, and 1980.
Following redistricting
in 1982, Branstool opted to make a run for the Ohio Senate
, running for a newly drawn district against Sam Speck
, whose home had been drawn out of his former district. Proving to be one of the most contested races of that cycle, Branstool defeated Speck, who ultimately returned to his old district, which wasn't up for reelection. In 1986, Branstool was mentioned as a potential candidate for Ohio Lieutenant Governor, running with Governor Richard Celeste, however it proved not to be the case. He went on to win reelection to his Senate seat in a slim margin. Soon after, he was elected Senate minority whip by his colleagues.
In 1990, Branstool was chosen as the running mate of Democratic gubernatorial nominee Tony Celebrezze, who lost the election to George Voinovich
. Following the defeat, Branstool opted to become Chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party
, and succeeded. He would serve in the capacity until 1993, when he stepped down and was replaced by Harry Meshel
.
Branstool went on to serve under President Bill Clinton
as an assistant Secretary of Agriculture. However, he would only serve in the capacity for seven months, citing his desires to return home. However, he soon was appointed to the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation's Board of Trustees.
In a surprise move, Branstool opted to run in 1998 against Jay Hottinger for his former seat in the Senate. However, he lost in what was now a solidly Republican district. He since has retired to Utica.
Branstool made a return to the news in 2011 as a opponent of new legislation to curb collective bargaining
. “An individual worker who does his 40 hours or whatever, it’s hard for him to represent himself alone, and this is a way that he can do that – and sometimes they need leaders,” Branstool said. “Other elements of our society, whether it’s the pharmaceutical companies, the banks, the insurance companies, payday lenders, all these guys have people looking after their interests. And this is a way that working people have a chance to look after theirs.”
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician of the Democratic party. Branstool, a Utica, Ohio
Utica, Ohio
Utica is a village in Knox and Licking counties in the U.S. state of Ohio, along the North Fork of the Licking River. The population was 2,130 at the 2000 census....
, farmer, originally ran for a seat in the Ohio House of Representatives
Ohio House of Representatives
The Ohio House of Representatives is the lower house of the Ohio General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Ohio; the other house of the bicameral legislature being the Ohio Senate....
in 1974, a beat Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Raymond Luther
Raymond Luther
Raymond Luther is a Republican politician who formerly served in the Ohio General Assembly. When House minority leader John McDonald opted to run for Ohio Attorney General in 1970, Luther entered the race to succeed him. He won, and was sworn into the Ohio House of Representatives on January 3,...
in the general election. He won reelection in 1976, 1978, and 1980.
Following redistricting
Redistricting
Redistricting is the process of drawing United States electoral district boundaries, often in response to population changes determined by the results of the decennial census. In 36 states, the state legislature has primary responsibility for creating a redistricting plan, in many cases subject to...
in 1982, Branstool opted to make a run for the Ohio Senate
Ohio Senate
The Ohio State Senate is the upper house of the Ohio General Assembly, the legislative body for the U.S. state of Ohio. There are 33 State Senators. The state legislature meets in the state capital, Columbus. The President of the Senate presides over the body when in session, and is currently Tom...
, running for a newly drawn district against Sam Speck
Sam Speck
Sam Speck is a former member of the Ohio Senate, where he served from 1977 to 1983. He represented the 20th District.-Education:Speck earned his bachelor's degree from Muskingum University and his master's and doctoral degrees from Harvard University....
, whose home had been drawn out of his former district. Proving to be one of the most contested races of that cycle, Branstool defeated Speck, who ultimately returned to his old district, which wasn't up for reelection. In 1986, Branstool was mentioned as a potential candidate for Ohio Lieutenant Governor, running with Governor Richard Celeste, however it proved not to be the case. He went on to win reelection to his Senate seat in a slim margin. Soon after, he was elected Senate minority whip by his colleagues.
In 1990, Branstool was chosen as the running mate of Democratic gubernatorial nominee Tony Celebrezze, who lost the election to George Voinovich
George Voinovich
George Victor Voinovich is a former United States Senator from the state of Ohio, and a member of the Republican Party. Previously, he served as the 65th Governor of Ohio from 1991 to 1998, and as the 54th mayor of Cleveland from 1980 to 1989.-Personal life:Born in Cleveland, Ohio, his father was...
. Following the defeat, Branstool opted to become Chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party
Ohio Democratic Party
The Ohio Democratic Party is the Ohio affiliate to the United States Democratic Party. Former Ohio House Minority Leader Chris Redfern is the Ohio Democratic Party chairman. Redfern was elected to office in December 2005...
, and succeeded. He would serve in the capacity until 1993, when he stepped down and was replaced by Harry Meshel
Harry Meshel
Harry Meshel is a former American Democrat politician who served as the president of the Ohio State Senate and chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party...
.
Branstool went on to serve under President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
as an assistant Secretary of Agriculture. However, he would only serve in the capacity for seven months, citing his desires to return home. However, he soon was appointed to the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation's Board of Trustees.
In a surprise move, Branstool opted to run in 1998 against Jay Hottinger for his former seat in the Senate. However, he lost in what was now a solidly Republican district. He since has retired to Utica.
Branstool made a return to the news in 2011 as a opponent of new legislation to curb collective bargaining
Collective bargaining
Collective bargaining is a process of negotiations between employers and the representatives of a unit of employees aimed at reaching agreements that regulate working conditions...
. “An individual worker who does his 40 hours or whatever, it’s hard for him to represent himself alone, and this is a way that he can do that – and sometimes they need leaders,” Branstool said. “Other elements of our society, whether it’s the pharmaceutical companies, the banks, the insurance companies, payday lenders, all these guys have people looking after their interests. And this is a way that working people have a chance to look after theirs.”