Bob Latta


Robert Edward Latta is the United States Representative for, serving since 2007. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district includes many of Toledo's suburbs and includes the cities of Findlay, Bowling Green, Napoleon, Sylvania, Defiance and Van Wert, Ohio.

Early life, education and career

Born in Bluffton, Ohio, Latta earned his B.A. at Bowling Green State University in 1978 and his J.D. at the University of Toledo College of Law in 1981. His father, Del Latta, represented the 5th from 1959 to 1989 and served as ranking Republican on the House Budget Committee from 1975 to his retirement. Latta worked as a private practice attorney before entering politics.

Ohio political career

Latta served as a Wood County Commissioner from 1991 to 1996. He then represented the 2nd Senate District in the Ohio Senate from 1997 to 2001 and the 6th house district in the Ohio House of Representatives from 2001 to 2007.

U.S. House of Representatives

Committee assignments

Authored H.R. 270, the TRICARE Continuity of Coverage for National Guard and Reserve Families Act of 2009, which passed into law as part of H.R. 2647, the FY2010 National Defense Authorization Act on October 28, 2009. This provision allows those in the Guard and reserves in the "gray area" to purchase TRICARE Select health care coverage.
Authored H.R. 1919, the , which was passed into law on November 27, 2013 as part of H.R. 3204, the Drug Quality and Security Act. The bill establishes a tracking system for pharmaceutical drugs through the supply chain – from manufacturers, to wholesalers, to 3rd party logistics providers, to distributors and patients.
H.R. 724, legislation introduced by Congressman Latta, was signed into law in June 2014. The legislation repealed a duplicative regulation requiring auto dealers to provide new car buyers with proof that their vehicle complies with emission standards.
Authored legislation, H.R. 3196, to repeal the integration ban on leased set-top boxes, which costs cable subscribers millions of dollars per year, stifles innovation within the retail market, and causes regulatory disparity among video industry participants. H.R. 3196 was passed into law as part of H.R. 5728, the Satellite Television Extension and Localization Act on December 4, 2014.
Latta authored H.R. 212, the , to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act to provide for the assessment and management of the risk of algal toxins in drinking water. The legislation was signed into law by President Obama on August 11, 2015.
Latta also sponsored legislation honoring late Congressman Mike Oxley by naming the Findlay Post Office in his memory. The bill was signed into law in 2016.
Latta is an original cosponsor of , which allows states to delay the implementation the EPA’s 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone from 75 parts per billion to 70 ppb. The bill passed the U.S. House on June 8, 2016.

Other Legislation and Initiatives

Working Groups
Latta introduced the Sportsmen’s Heritage And Recreational Enhancement Act of 2013 into the United States House of Representatives on November 21, 2013. The bill is an omnibus bill that covers several firearms, fishing, hunting, and federal land laws. The bill passed the House on February 5, 2014.
On July 22, 2014, Latta introduced the E-LABEL Act, a bill that would direct the Federal Communications Commission to allow manufacturers of electronic devices with a screen to display information required by the agency digitally on the screen rather than on a label affixed to the device. Latta argued that e-labeling would "give greater flexibility to design consumer products" and that "by some estimates e-labeling will save manufactures over $80 million a year."
Congressman Latta introduced H.R. 725 to Permanently Repeal the Estate Tax Act of 2015 on February 4, 2015. The legislation would eliminate the Federal tax for estates of decedents of individuals making over $11.18 million a year.
Latta introduced legislation, H.R. 1585, to eliminate all automatic pay adjustments for Member of Congress, on March 24, 2015.
Latta is the author of the to require the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to establish a regulatory framework for issuing licenses for advanced nuclear reactor technology. The legislation was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on September 12, 2016.
In 2018, the Conservative Review gave him a 58% evaluation. Americans for Prosperity has given him a lifetime evaluation of 90%. In 2017, the Campaign for Working Families gave him an evaluation of 100%. In 2017, the John Birch Society gave him a Freedom Index evaluation of 60%. The American Conservative Union has given him a lifetime evaluation of 91%.

Political campaigns

1988

When Del Latta decided to retire from Congress in 1988, Bob Latta ran in the Republican primary. However, he lost by twenty-seven votes to then Ohio State Senate president Paul Gillmor, who went on to win the general election.

2007

After Gillmor's sudden death in September 2007, Latta ran again for the open seat. He defeated State Senator Steve Buehrer, among other candidates, in the Special primary.
In the special general election, Latta defeated Democratic candidate Robin Weirauch on December 11, 2007 by a margin of 57% to 43%. He was sworn in on December 13, 2007.

2010

Latta faced Democratic nominee Caleb Finkenbiner and Libertarian nominee Brian L. Smith in the general election, he won the election.

2012

Latta was re-elected in 2012. He beat Democratic nominee, Angela Zimmann and Libertarian nominee, Eric Eberly. ]He was endorsed by the United States Chamber of Commerce, the NFIB, the NRA and National Right to Life.

Personal life

Congressman Latta is an avid sportsman and lifelong resident of Northwest Ohio. He and his wife Marcia live in Bowling Green and have two daughters, Elizabeth and Maria. He is the son of former Congressman Del Latta and Rose Mary Kiene Latta and serves in the seat his father held in Congress from 1959-89.

Electoral history