Michael Stinziano

Early life and education

Michael Stinziano was born November 23, 1979, at Mount Carmel West Hospital in Franklinton and grew up on King Avenue in the Short North and University District communities. He developed a strong understanding of public service from his father, Mike Stinziano, who served 22 years in the Ohio General Assembly. Following his graduation from high school in Columbus, Stinziano earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Richmond and master’s degree in public administration from George Washington University. After returning to Columbus, Michael graduated from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law and became an attorney.

Stinziano most recently served as State Representative for the 18th house district, representing Columbus communities of Bexley, Franklinton, German Village, Grandview Heights, the Hilltop, Olde Towne East, Ohio State University and Italian Village. His prior experience includes work as the Director of the Franklin County Board of Elections; as an assistant to the general counsel for Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner; as a law clerk for the Ohio House Democratic Caucus; as a legal extern for the Supreme Court of Ohio; as a research assistant for two members of the British Parliament; and as a congressional intern in Washington.

Michael and his wife Caroline McNamee Stinziano, son Cooper, and daughter Riley live in University Community/ Short North with their two rescue pugs, Wrigley and Fenway, and belong to St. Francis of Assisi Parish. Stinziano is a member of the Ohio Commodores, the Columbus Italian Club, the Shamrock Club of Columbus, the Hilltop Kiwanis, the Short North Civic Association, Sigma Chi Fraternity, a graduate of the Columbus Civilian Police Academy, an Executive Committee Member of the Franklin County Democratic Party and a Certified Tourism Ambassador for the City of Columbus.

Public service and political career

With incumbent Representative Dan Stewart unable to seek another term due to term limits, Stinziano, whose father, Mike Stinziano had held the same seat for two decades, entered the race. Stinziano faced a primary challenge in John Sowers, a local business owner, but won by about 3,200 votes. Originally, Stinziano was going to face Republican Scott Hubbard in the general election, however, Hubbard dropped out, leaving Stinziano with a clear path to the Statehouse. On January 3, 2011, Stinziano was sworn into his first term.

Stinziano won a second term in 2012 over Republican Bill Colgan with 73.39% of the electorate, and a third in 2014 with 74% of the vote.

Sponsored legislation and policy positions

Stinziano has piloted several pieces of legislation stemming directly from constituent ideas presented at his weekly community hours.

When a constituent shared the news of a student-athlete who ended up in a wheelchair after returning to play too soon after suffering a concussion, Stinziano sponsored legislation to prevent sports-related head injuries along with Representative Sean O'Brien. House Bill 143 established return-to-play standards after an athlete exhibits signs and symptoms of a concussion and has been recognized as national model legislation among the more than 25 other states that have adopted similar laws to help protect our young athletes from serious injury with a return-to-play law.

Other ideas suggested by constituents that are now Ohio law include: HB 117 Operation of Captive Insurance Companies in Ohio; HB 126 Living Will Changes; HB 170 Naloxone; HB 265 Accessible Language in ORC and Signage; HB 365 Tax Overpayment Notification; HB 344 Create Ohio Statehouse License Plate; and HB 448 Infant Mortality Education & Prevention.

Stemming from his background in election law and as the Director of the Board of Elections, Stinziano is a vocal advocate for participation in the electoral process. Stinziano has supported a statewide process for dealing with and counting provisional ballots during elections, and sponsored legislation to create online voter registration for Ohioans.

On City Council, "economic prosperity" remains Stinziano's top priority. Stinziano is "dedicated to creating jobs, particularly to foster small-business growth, fund essential services to help promote neighborhood safety, support our schools and provide everyone with effective, responsive constituent service." Councilmember Stinziano serves as Chair of Council’s Public Utilities Committee, Judiciary & Court Administration Committee, and Technology Committee. As Chair of the Public Utilities Committee, Stinziano oversees funding and improvements to public works including Columbus City Water, Power and Sewage.