Eugene Branstool | |
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Member of the Ohio Senate from the 31st district |
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In office January 3, 1983-December 31, 1990 |
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Preceded by | Tim McCormack |
Succeeded by | Steven O. Williams |
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 1st district |
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In office January 3, 1975-December 31, 1982 |
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Preceded by | Raymond Luther |
Succeeded by | Marc Guthrie |
Personal details | |
Born |
Mount Vernon, Ohio |
December 13, 1936
Political party | Democratic |
Charles Eugene Branstool (born December 13, 1936) is an American politician of the Democratic party. Branstool, a Utica, Ohio, farmer, originally ran for a seat in the Ohio House of Representatives in 1974, a beat Republican Raymond Luther in the general election. He won reelection in 1976, 1978, and 1980.
Following redistricting in 1982, Branstool opted to make a run for the Ohio Senate, running for a newly drawn district against Sam Speck, whose home had been drawn out of his former district. One of the most contested races of that cycle, Branstool defeated Speck, who ultimately returned to his old district, which wasn't up for reelection. In 1986, Branstool was mentioned as a potential candidate for Ohio Lieutenant Governor, running with Governor Richard Celeste. However, this never went forward. He went on to win reelection to his Senate seat in a slim margin. Soon after, he was elected Senate minority whip by his colleagues.
In 1990, Branstool was chosen as the running mate of Democratic gubernatorial nominee Tony Celebrezze, who lost the election to George Voinovich. Following the defeat, Branstool opted to become Chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party, and succeeded. He would serve in the capacity until 1993, when he stepped down and was replaced by Harry Meshel.
Branstool went on to serve under President Bill Clinton as an assistant Secretary of Agriculture. However, he would only serve in the capacity for seven months, citing his desires to return home. However, he soon was appointed to the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation's Board of Trustees.