Preceded by Jeff Johnson Political party Democratic Party Democratic Party Succeeded by Shirley Smith Education Kent State University | Preceded by Ike Thompson Role Ohio State Senator Succeeded by Shirley Smith Name C. Prentiss | |
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C. J. Prentiss is an American politician of the Democratic party who served in the Ohio State Senate from 1999 until 2007. During the 126th Ohio General Assembly, she served as Minority Leader.
She earned a bachelor of arts degree and a master's degree in education from Cleveland State University. She holds a post-graduate certificate in Administration from Kent State University. She attended the advanced management program at Case Western Reserve University's Weatherhead School of Management.
From 1985 to 1990, Prentiss served on the Ohio State Board of Education. Prentiss served four terms in the Ohio House of Representatives before she was elected to the Senate in 2000. In the 125th General Assembly, Prentiss served as the minority whip.
Prentiss was the president of the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus. She follows Rhine McLin as the second African-American woman to serve as the Democratic leader in the Ohio Senate.
Prentiss was also on the founding board of directors for the nonpartisan economic policy group Policy Matters Ohio.
She appeared on the pilot episode of 30 Days discussing living on minimum wage.
She was a candidate in the special election to replace Stephanie Tubbs-Jones in the 110th Congress but withdrew before the Primary.