Theresa Gavarone appointed to Ohio Senate

Update: Theresa Gavarone, who is slated to become the new District 2 Ohio state senator on Wednesday, will be a guest along with state Rep. Steve Arndt on "Between the Lines" at 1 p.m. Thursday at sanduskyregister.com. The program will be available live at the Register's Youtube channel and available for demand viewing at sanduskyregister.com/btl later on Thursday. SANDUSKY — Erie County's new state senator is Theresa Gavarone, a Republican attorney and businesswoman from Bowling Green.Gavarone, 52, currently a state representative, was interviewed for the job Monday by a six-member screening committee that included the Senate leadership and senators from adjoining districts. The panel also interviewed the other applicant, Monclova Township trustee Barbara Lang.On Wednesday, when the Senate convenes again, Ohio Senate Republicans are expected to ratify the screening committee's choice and will seat Gavarone in the Ohio Senate as the new senator for District 2, which includes Erie, Ottawa and Wood counties and parts of Fulton and Lucas counties.Gavarone replaces former Sen. Randy Gardner, who left last month to take a new job as state chancellor for higher education in Gov. Mike DeWine's administration."It is quite an honor," said Gavarone, who said the screening committee quizzed her for about half an hour Monday. "I am actually very excited about the opportunity to serve this population."State Sen. Larry Obhof, R-Medina weighed in."We appreciate the interest and the public service experience of both of the candidates we met with today," said Obhof, who is the Senate president and one of the lawmakers who participated in Gavarone's job interview. "Theresa brings a strong understanding of the issues important to the people of Northwest Ohio, and we look forward to working with her in the Senate."Gavarone has been serving her second term representing Wood County in the Third House District. House Republicans will now have to begin a search to appoint her replacement.Gavarone also served on Bowling Green's city council.Her appointment could be good news for BGSU Firelands. Gavarone has a bachelor's degree in business administration from Bowling Green State University, one of her college-age children attends the school, and she keeps a small sculpture of a falcon on her desk in Columbus.Gavarone also has a law degree from the University of Toledo. She lives in Bowling Green, where she and her husband, Jim, own the Mr. Spots restaurant. Gavarone expects to learn details about the new job soon, such as where her office will be located and how constituents can contact her. She is active on Twitter, @theresagavarone. State Rep. Theresa Gavarone