Louis "Lou" Gentile is an American politician formerly serving as the senator for the 30th District of the Ohio Senate. He was also previously a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, serving briefly in 2011 prior to his appointment to the Senate. His district is one of the largest in Ohio, stretching from Carrollton, Ohio to Athens, Ohio and encompassing much of the Ohio Valley. Gentile served as Assistant Minority Whip in the Ohio Senate. He is a Democrat. Gentile lost his 2016 Senate re-election bid to Frank Hoagland.
After graduation from college, Gentile returned home to Jefferson County and joined the Ted Strickland for Congress campaign as field director. He continued his service with Congressman Strickland by serving as his representative to constituents in Jefferson, Belmont, Noble and Monroe counties. After Strickland won his election to become Governor of Ohio, Gentile was appointed Assistant Director of the Governor’s Office of Appalachia in January 2007, where he served until 2010. In 2010, with incumbent Representative John Domenick unable to run again due to term limits, Gentile ran to replace him in the Ohio House. He faced four others in the primary election and received 52.41% of the electorate to win the nomination. Gentile faced Republican Mark Clark in the general election, and won with 66.25% of the vote.
Ohio Senate
In late 2011, Senator Jason Wilson resigned from his seat in the Ohio Senate to become Director of the Governor's Office of Appalachia under Ohio GovernorJohn Kasich. As a result, Senate Democrats were required to appoint a successor to the seat. Gentile was the Senate Democrats' top pick to fill the position. It was announced in early December that Gentile had been chosen for Senator Wilson's seat. He was sworn into office on December 15, 2011. Gentile was elected to a full term in the Senate in 2012, defeating Republican Shane Thompson 53% to 47%. This was a significant victory for Gentile, as he had been the GOP's top target and the GOP spent over $1 million to defeat him. Gentile raised about $800,000. When Senator Joe Schiavoni was named Minority Leader in 2014, Gentile was named as a member of his leadership team, serving as Assistant Minority Whip. Gentile ran for re-election to the Ohio Senate in 2016, but was defeated in the general election by Republican Frank Hoagland by a margin of 53%-47%.
Jobs/Economy
The 30th Senate district encompasses a large portion of Appalachian Ohio. The region's economy is heavily dependent on energy jobs, particularly in the coal industry. As Senator, Gentile secured funding to support energy innovation and job retention in the region. He authored the Ohio Workers First amendment to create the Shale Workforce Report. The report includes information about employment levels of Ohio's workers in the oil and natural gas industry. Gentile also secured $200,000 in funding for scholarships for students at Eastern Gateway Community College who are pursuing a career in the oil and gas industry.
Veterans
During the 130th General Assembly, Gentile sponsored Senate Bill 13 to provide college credits for certain trainings received by veterans while they served. The bill was used to model what ultimately became the state's method for awarding college credit to veterans. During the 131st General Assembly, Senator Gentile proposed legislation to provide tax relief to fully disabled veterans. Senate Bill 302, jointly sponsored by Senator Gentile and Minority Leader Joe Schiavoni, would exempt 100% disabled veterans from paying any property tax on their home. Gentile also introduced Senate Bill, which would provide income tax credits to small businesses that hire unemployed veterans. When his efforts to move S.B. 18 forward were met with opposition, Gentile offered this bill as an amendment to Ohio House Bill 390. When this was unsuccessful, he attempted to amend the same bill on the Senate Floor to include the tax credits proposed in S.B. 18.
Seniors
Gentile has routinely tried to end the income cap on the homestead exemption, which is a program that gives a property tax break to senior and disabled homeowners. In 2013, The Republican-controlled legislature limited the program, so Ohioans turning 65 who have a household income of more than $30,000 would no longer be eligible for the tax relief.
Coal Miners
In 2013, the state of Ohio announced that a mine safety training center in Harrison County, Ohio, would be closed and relocated. Senator Gentile worked with Harrison County officials and the United Mine Workers union to keep the facility open. In 2016, due to Gentile's efforts, Ohio approved funding for a new mine safety training center in Harrison County. Senator Gentile has also joined US Senator Sherrod Brown in calling on Congress to approve the Miners Protection Act and protect retired coal miners' benefits. "Our retired coal miners have worked hard and have earned their pensions and benefits. Congress has an obligation to ensure that the promises made to them are kept." - Senator Lou Gentile
