Tracy Heard
| Tracy Heard | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 26th district |
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In office January 2, 2007 – December 31, 2014 |
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| Preceded by | Mike Mitchell |
| Succeeded by | Hearcel Craig |
| House Minority Leader | |
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In office June 1, 2013 – December 31, 2014 |
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| Preceded by | Armond Budish |
| Succeeded by | Fred Strahorn |
| House Minority Whip | |
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In office January 3, 2011 – June 1, 2013 |
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| Leader | Armond Budish |
| Preceded by | John Adams |
| Succeeded by | Michael Ashford |
| House Majority Leader | |
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In office October 21, 2009 – January 3, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Jennifer Garrison |
| Succeeded by | Matt Huffman |
| House Assistant Majority Leader | |
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In office January 5, 2009 – October 21, 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Jim Carmichael |
| Succeeded by | Allan Sayre |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
February 3, 1963 Columbus, Ohio |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | University of Akron (B.A.) |
| Profession | Auditor, News Anchor, Community Developer |
Tracy Maxwell Heard is the former Minority Leader of the Ohio House of Representatives, and previously served as the minority whip, assistant majority leader and as the majority leader. She is the first African-American woman, and one of two African-Americans, the other being William L. Mallory, Sr., to hold the office of majority leader.
A member of the Democratic Party, Heard has represented Ohio's 26th House district, which includes central, eastern and southern parts of Franklin County, since 2006. Between 2006 and 2012, Ohio's 26th House District included Berwick, Downtown Columbus, Driving Park, Olde Towne East, and other parts of East and South Columbus. After redistricting in 2012, the 26th District no longer includes Downtown Columbus.
She is a graduate of the University of Akron.
After graduating from the University of Akron, Heard worked as a noncompliance auditor for Banc of America Practice Solutions, as well as for the Livingston Avenue Collaborative for Community Development. Her mother-in-law is a former Columbus School Board member. She was launched into politics following campaign work on President Bill Clinton's 1996 presidential campaign, and went on to work in the Ohio Senate as a legislative aide. Heard is also known for her former roles as a news anchor.
Although the 26th District had long been a Democratic seat and incumbent Representative Mike Mitchell was only in his first term, both Heard and businessman Clarence Glover decided to try to unseat him in 2006. Benefiting from good name recognition, Heard defeated Mitchell, just as he had defeated an incumbent two years earlier, by about 1,600 votes. In the 2006 general election, Heard faced Michael D. Elicson, but easily routed him by around 20,000 votes.
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