Michael J. Skindell


Michael J. Skindell is the state representative for the 13th district of the Ohio House of Representatives after previously serving there from 2003 to 2010. He also previously served as the state senator for the 23rd district of the Ohio Senate from 2011 to 2018. He is a Democrat.

Life and career

Skindell graduated from Walsh College in North Canton, Ohio, with a B.A. in Business and Political Science in 1983. He received his J.D. from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in Cleveland in 1987. He is a practicing attorney with the firm of Friedman, Domiano and Smith in Cleveland, specializing in personal injury and product liability.
He is a past president of the Lakewood Jaycees, and past Chairman of Lakewood Citizens Advisory Committee for Community Development Block Grant. He is a former Assistant Attorney General of Ohio, and former member of Lakewood City Council. In 2004, he received the award for Ohio Environmental Council Public Servant of the Year.
After an unsuccessful run in the primary election in 1996, Skindell was first elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 2002 taking the place of Congresswoman Mary Rose Oakar who retired after serving one term in the State House.
Skindell ran unopposed in 2004 for a second term, and won a third in 2006 with 77.26% of the vote over Republican John Patrick Hildebrand. He won a fourth term in 2008 with 75.29% over Republican Mary Louise Kirk.
While serving in the Ohio House, Skindell encouraged adoption of a renewable energy portfolio standard in Ohio. The General Assembly passed Senate Bill 221, creating a standards program, in 2008 upon which Governor Ted Strickland signed the legislation.
In 2012, Skindell opted to run for the Ohio Supreme Court, but lost to incumbent Terrence O'Donnell 70% to 30%.

Ohio Senate

s prevented Skindell from seeking a fifth term in 2010. However, Senator Dale Miller did not run for another term, and Skindell was one of four who sought the Democratic nomination to replace him. Skindell won the nomination over former Rep. Ron Mottl Jr., Parma Councilman Nicholas Celebrezze and John Harmon with 46.82% of the vote. He won the general election easily with 60.77% of the electorate.
Skindell was sworn into his first term as Senator on January 3, 2011.

Committee assignments

YearDemocraticVotesPctDemocraticVotesPct
2015Mike Skindell6,00842.91 Michael P. Summers7,99457.09%

YearDemocraticVotesPctRepublicanVotesPct
2012Mike Skindell1,252,68830.87%Terrence O'Donnell2,804,62969.13%

YearDemocraticVotesPctRepublicanVotesPct
2008Mike Skindell27,01075.29%Mary-Louise Kirk8,86524.71%
2006Mike Skindell19,94377.26%John Patrick Hildebrand, Jr.5,86922.74%
2004Mike Skindell29,322100.0%Unopposed
2002Mike Skindell13,24163.86%Ryan Dro7,49536.14%

Personal life

Skindell is single and resides in Lakewood, Ohio.