Josh O'Farrell
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the 96th district
In office
June 2, 2010 – December 31, 2010
Preceded byAllan Sayre
Succeeded byAl Landis
Personal details
Born (1981-08-24) August 24, 1981
New Philadelphia, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materUniversity of Notre Dame
Wake Forest University
ProfessionAttorney

Joshua 'Josh' O'Farrell is the former Democratic representative for the 96th District of the Ohio House of Representatives. Following the resignation of Representative Allan Sayre in 2010, he was selected to serve the remainder of the term from a pool of five qualified candidates including O'Farrell, former Belmont County Commissioner Mark Thomas and Harrison County Commissioner Barbara Pincola.[1] He was narrowly defeated in the 2010 general election and the 2012 general election by Al Landis.[2]

He is the Democratic candidate for the 98th District of the Ohio House of Representatives, which encompasses all of Tuscarawas County and the majority of Holmes County.

Career

O'Farrell is a 2000 graduate of New Philadelphia High School. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame, where he majored in history. He then went on to complete a Juris Doctor degree from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2010. O'Farrell was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 2010 and was also admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.[3] He currently holds membership in the Tuscarawas County Bar Association, the Stark County Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Association, and the Ohio Association of Justice.[3]

O'Farrell is currently employed as an associate attorney by Tzangas, Plakas, Mannos Ltd. in Canton, Ohio. His experience and focus surrounds representing landowners throughout East Central and Northeast Ohio in oil and gas lease negotiations, pipeline right-of-way agreement negotiations, and in complex oil and gas litigation.[3] O'Farrell also practices toxic torts and environmental litigation, commercial litigation, and professional negligence litigation.[3]

Ohio House of Representatives; 96th District

Josh O'Farrell was chosen by the Ohio House of Representatives Democratic Caucus to replace outgoing Representative Alan Sayre and was sworn into office on June 2, 2010.[4] O'Farrell adjusted quickly to his new role as a member of the 128th Ohio General Assembly, and spent his first full day as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives in session until 4 a.m. the next day.[5] Within weeks of taking office, O'Farrell responded to severe storms that battered the 96th District; surveying the damage alongside Sugarcreek, Ohio, Fire Chief Jim Harrison.[5]

Representative O'Farrell was an active member of the Ohio House of Representatives; he introduced three bills during his six-month tenure and co-sponsored ten others.[6] During his tenure, he served on the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, the Financial Institutions, Real Estate, and Securities Committee, the Rules and Reference Committee, and the State Government Committee.

Bills introduced

Bill numberLinkDescription
H.B. 601As IntroducedDeny tax breaks to companies that outsource jobs from the United States.
H.B. 604As IntroducedAssist disabled veterans in obtaining specialty license plates.
H.B. 617As IntroducedPromote job creation in the Ohio Appalachian Region.

Representative O'Farrell was the primary sponsor of three unique pieces of legislation during his shortened tenure as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives. With the introduction of H.B. 601, he sought to protect American jobs by amending the Ohio Revised Code to deny tax breaks and other incentives to businesses that outsource jobs outside of the United States.[7] In H.B. 604, O'Farrell introduced a bill that would remove barriers to disabled Ohio veterans in receiving specialty license plates.[8] Finally, with H.B. 617, O'Farrell introduced a bill that would provide tax and economic incentives to support job creation and capital investment in the Ohio Appalachian Region.[9]

Bills co-sponsored

Bill numberLinkDescription
Sub. S.B. 162As EnrolledRepeals the law governing alternative regulation of telephone companies.
Am. Sub. S.B. 232As EnrolledTax incentives for companies that generate electricity from renewable energy resources, clean coal technology, advanced nuclear technology, and cogeneration technology.
Sub. S.B. 235As EnrolledCrackdown and extended penalties on human trafficking.
Am. Sub. H.B. 323As Passed by the HousePermits the trial of a corporation (in absentia) in a criminal proceeding relative to a residential foreclosure action.
H.B. 560As IntroducedEliminate late fees for CDL's, motorcycle permits, and driver's licenses.
H.B. 571As IntroducedProtected the Second Amendment rights of Ohioans by allowing those with a concealed carry license (who is an employee of a private employer) to store the employee's handgun in a locked vehicle parked on premises owned or leased by the employer.
H.B. 578As IntroducedAdopt the Transfer of Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act.
H.B. 587As IntroducedRequire county recorders to complete continuing education requirements.
H.B. 596As IntroducedExpand the right of an institution of higher education to bring a civil action for damages caused by violations of athletic association or conference regulations.
H.B. 606As IntroducedAllows the surviving spouse of a recipient of the Purple Heart to retain the Ohio Purple Heart license plates.

Representative O'Farrell additionally co-sponsored ten pieces of legislation during his time in the Ohio House of Representatives. Highlights from these endeavors include tax incentives for companies that undertake renewable energy solutions, a crackdown on human-trafficking, the protection of Second Amendment rights as it relates to conceal-carry license holders, and the expansion of rights for the families of wounded veterans.[10][11][12][13]

2010 election

Representative O'Farrell was challenged for his seat in the Ohio House of Representatives in the 2010 General Election by political newcomer Al Landis of Dover, Ohio.[14] O'Farrell's campaign for reelection was carried out in a shortened time-frame, as he was forced to begin campaigning almost immediately after his appointment to the Ohio House of Representatives.[15] Nevertheless, O'Farrell knocked on over 10,000 doors throughout the district leading up to the election.[15]

CountyAl LandisJosh O'FarrellO'Farrell difference
RepublicanDemocrat--
Belmont5,8225,200-622
Harrison2,6042,998394
Tuscarawas12,40711,788-619
Total20,83319,986-847
Percentage of votes51.04%48.96%-2.08%

The November 2, 2010, general election saw O'Farrell narrowly defeated by Landis.[15]

Ohio House of Representatives; 98th District

Announcement

Campaign

2012 Election

Primary Results

Josh O'Farrell was unopposed in his bid for the Democratic Nomination for the 98th District of the Ohio House of Representatives.

Candidate Party Notes Votes Percentage
Joshua O'Farrell Democratic Unopposed 2,682 100.00%

General Election

Charitable Work & Philanthropy

Josh O'Farrell (in green) instructing runners at the O'Farrell Family Hug Foundation's "Run for Shoes" event.

In early 2011, O'Farrell and his wife Christin founded the O'Farrell Family Hug Foundation. The nonprofit organization was established to provide charitable support to families within Tuscarawas County and the surrounding areas.[16] The Foundation's goal is strengthen the local community by focusing on meeting the basic needs of children and families.[17] The O'Farrell's organize and host numerous events and fundraisers annually to support and further the Foundation's mission.[16]

On May 19, 2012, the Foundation held their 2nd Annual "Run for Shoes" event at Fort Laurens near Bolivar, Ohio. The event, which consisted of a 5K/1 Mile Walk/Children's "Fun Run," was deemed as extremely successful and helped raise the funds necessary to provide over 200 pairs of shoes to local children. The 2012 event marked an increase of the 125 pairs that were raised in the initial event a year prior. On June 30, 2012, a total of 136 of these shoes were distributed by Josh & Christin O'Farrell to families in need with the remainder of the raised funds being carried over to next year's event.[18]

In 2011, the Foundation partnered with Adventure Harley-Davidson of Dover, Ohio to provide over 100 families with a Thanksgiving Day meal.[19]

Personal life

O'Farrell currently resides in New Philadelphia, Ohio with his wife Christin and their young sons Liam & Jameson. The family attends services at NewPointe Community Church in Dover, Ohio. He is the son of Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court Judge Edward O'Farrell.[20]

References

  1. ↑ Ayres, Eric. "Commissioners welcome new state official". Times-Leader Online. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  2. ↑ Brunner, Jennifer. "Ohio House Of Representatives: November 2, 2010: Amended Official Results". The Ohio Secretary of State. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 4 O'Farrell, Josh. "Josh O'Farrell: Attorney Profile". Tzangas, Plakas, Mannos & Raies, Ltd. Tzangas, Plakas, Mannos & Raies, Ltd. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  4. ↑ Baker, Jon (1 June 2012). "Josh O'Farrell named to replace Sayre". The Times-Reporter. Archived from the original on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  5. 1 2 King, Joselyn (1 June 2010). "O'Farrell Takes Over". The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  6. ↑ "Bills sponsored by 'O'Farrell'". Legislative Information System. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  7. ↑ O'Farrell, Joshua. "H. B. No. 601". Legislative Information Systems. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  8. ↑ O'Farrell, Joshua. "H.B. 604". Legislative Information Systems. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  9. ↑ O'Farrell, Joshua. "H.B. 617". Legislative Information Systems. Retrieved 17 July 2012.
  10. ↑ Widener, Goodman, Jones, Wagoner. "S.B. 232". Legislative Service Commission. Retrieved 26 July 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  11. ↑ Fedor and Grendell, Cafaro, R. Miller, Schaffer, Jones, Smith, Hughes, Wagoner, Goodman, Strahorn, Sawyer, Widener, Carey, Schuring, Patton, Husted, Morano, Schiavoni, Turner, Wilson, Buehrer, D. Miller, Kearney, Stewart, Gibbs, Niehaus. "S.B. 235". Legislative Service Commission. Retrieved 26 July 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ↑ Uecker. "H. B. No. 571". Legislative Service Commission. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
  13. ↑ Stebelton. "H. B. No. 606". Legislative Service Commission. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
  14. ↑ Mizer, Joe. "It's all about jobs". The Times-Reporter. Archived from the original on 4 February 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
  15. 1 2 3 Mizer, Joe. "Landis wins statehouse race". The Times-Reporter. Archived from the original on 4 February 2013. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
  16. 1 2 Times-Reporter.com Staff Report. "O'Farrells form foundation to aid area families". The Times-Reporter. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  17. ↑ Times-Reporter.com Staff Report. "'Run for Shoes' event in Bolivar on May 19". The Times-Reporter. Archived from the original on 6 May 2012. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  18. ↑ TimesReporter.com Staff Report. "O'Farrell Family Hug Foundation distributes 136 pairs of shoes". The Times-Reporter. Archived from the original on 4 February 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  19. ↑ Valentini, Kyle. "O'Farrell Family Hug Foundation provides 136 kids with new shoes". The Bargain Hunter. Retrieved 16 July 2012.
  20. ↑ King, Joselyn (2010-05-30). "O'Farrell To Fill 96th House Seat". The Intelligenter. Retrieved 2011-08-22.
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