Ohio Senate

Ohio Senate
132nd Ohio General Assembly
Type
Type	Upper House
Term limits	2 terms (8 years)
History
New session started	January 3, 2017
Leadership
President of the Senate	Larry Obhof (R) Since January 3, 2017
President Pro Tempore	Bob Peterson (R) Since January 3, 2017
Majority Leader	Randy Gardner (R) Since January 3, 2017
Minority Leader	Joe Schiavoni (D) Since January 14, 2014
Structure
Seats	33
Political groups	Republican: 24 seats   Democratic: 9 seats
Length of term	4 years
Authority	Article II, Ohio Constitution
Salary	$60,584/year
Elections
Last election	November 8, 2016 (16 seats)
Next election	November 6, 2018 (17 seats)
Meeting place
Senate Chamber Ohio Statehouse Columbus, Ohio
Website
ohiosenate.gov

The Ohio Senate is the upper house of the Ohio General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Ohio. The State Senate, which meets in the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus, first convened in 1803. Senators are elected for four year terms, staggered every two years such that half of the seats are contested at each election. Even numbered seats and odd numbered seats are contested in separate election years. The President of the Ohio Senate presides over the body when in session, and is currently Larry Obhof.

Currently, the Senate consists of 24 Republicans and 9 Democrats; Senators are limited to two terms. Each Senator represents approximately 349,000 Ohioans, and each Senate District encompasses three corresponding Ohio House of Representatives Districts.

Other Officers

Clerk: According to the Rules of the Senate, the Clerk is elected by the members of the Senate and is tasked with maintaining records of all Senate bills and resolutions. The Clerk is also responsible for handling all documents received from other government departments.