Preceded by Dale Miller Occupation Attorney Succeeded by Nickie Antonio Spouse(s) Single Party Democratic Party | Political party Democratic Role Ohio State Senator Preceded by Bryan Flannery Name Michael Skindell | |
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Alma mater Walsh College (B.A.)
Cleveland Marshall College of Law (J.D.) Residence Lakewood, Ohio, United States Office Ohio State Senator since 2011 Education Cleveland–Marshall College of Law, Walsh College of Accountancy and Business | ||
Michael J. Skindell (born 1962) is the state senator for the 23rd District of the Ohio Senate. He previously served in the Ohio House of Representatives. He is a Democrat.
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Life and career
Skindell graduated from Walsh College (now Walsh University) in North Canton, Ohio with a B.A. in Business and Political Science in 1983. He received his J.D. from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in Cleveland in 1987. He is a practicing attorney with the firm of Friedman, Damiano and Smith in Cleveland, specializing in personal injury and product liability.
He is a past president of the Lakewood Jaycees, and past Chairman of Lakewood Citizens Advisory Committee for Community Development Block Grant. He is a former Assistant Attorney General of Ohio, and former member of Lakewood City Council. In 2004, he received the award for Ohio Environmental Council Public Servant of the Year.
After an unsuccessful run in the primary election in 1996, Skindell was first elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 2002 taking the place of Congresswoman Mary Rose Oakar who retired after serving one term in the State House.
Skindell ran unopposed in 2004 for a second term, and won a third in 2006 with 77.26% of the vote over Republican John Patrick Hildebrand. He won a fourth term in 2008 with 75.29% over Republican Mary Louise Kirk.
In 2012, Skindell opted to run for the Ohio Supreme Court, but lost to incumbent Terrence O'Donnell 70% to 30%.
Ohio Senate
Term limits prevented Skindell from seeking a fifth term in 2010. However, Senator Dale Miller did not run for another term, and Skindell was one of four who sought the Democratic nomination to replace him. Skindell won the nomination over former Rep. Ron Mottl Jr., Parma Councilman Nicholas Celebrezze and John Harmon with 46.82% of the vote. He won the general election easily with 60.77% of the electorate.
Skindell was sworn into his first term as Senator on January 3, 2011.
Committee assignments
Personal life
Skindell is single and resides in Lakewood, Ohio.