Shane Wilkin
Shane Wilkin | |
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 | |
| Member of the Ohio Senate from the 17th district | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Bob Peterson |
| Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 91st district | |
| In office June 7, 2018 – December 31, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Cliff Rosenberger |
| Succeeded by | Bob Peterson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 8, 1970 Lynchburg, Ohio, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
Shane Wilkin (born August 8, 1970) is an American politician serving as a member of the Ohio State Senate. He previously served as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, representing the 91st district from 2018 to 2023. A Republican, Wilkin's house district included all of Clinton, Highland and Pike counties and portions of Ross county. Prior to serving in the state House, Wilkin served three terms as a Highland County Commissioner.[1] Professionally, he works as a realtor.[2]
In 2018, Wilkin entered the primary to succeed Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives Cliff Rosenberger, but unexpectedly was appointed to Rosenberger's seat after the Speaker resigned following a campaign finance scandal.[3] Wilkin was appointed after winning the Republican primary for the seat, defeating Rosenberger's preferred candidate, Beth Ann Ellis. He easily won the general election.[4]
FirstEnergy scandal
[edit]In the aftermath of the largest corruption scandal in Ohio history—centered around former Speaker Larry Householder and the $60 million bribery scheme tied to House Bill 6 (HB 6)—Rep. Shane Wilkin came under scrutiny for his role as one of the bill’s two primary sponsors. See Ohio nuclear bribery scandal.
According to campaign finance records, Wilkin received contributions from the FirstEnergy political action committee totaling $10,000 in 2018, $3,000 in early 2019, and $2,500 later in 2019, during the period surrounding the introduction and passage of HB 6.[5]
Wilkin co-sponsored HB 6, which provided a $1.3 billion ratepayer-funded bailout to two nuclear power plants previously owned by a FirstEnergy subsidiary.[6][7]
In a July 2020 interview following Householder’s arrest, Wilkin defended his sponsorship of HB 6 as a policy decision, citing the preservation of nuclear jobs and energy diversity, and denied involvement in or knowledge of the bribery scheme.[8]
While Wilkin was not charged with any crime, ethics groups and watchdog organizations highlighted his sponsorship of HB 6 and campaign contributions from FirstEnergy as emblematic of the utility’s extensive influence on Ohio’s legislature.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ "'Time to try another challenge' as Wilkin sworn in as state rep - Wilmington News Journal". www.wnewsj.com. 2018-06-20. Retrieved 2019-08-05.
- ^ "Shane Wilkin announces run for representative - Times Gazette". www.timesgazette.com. 2018-02-07. Retrieved 2019-08-05.
- ^ "Highland County's Shane Wilkin wins 91st District seat - Times Gazette". www.timesgazette.com. 2018-11-06. Retrieved 2019-08-05.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - OH State House 91 Race - Nov 06, 2018". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2019-08-05.
- ^ "List: Lawmakers and FirstEnergy donations". Ohio Capital Journal. July 24, 2020. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
- ^ Bischoff, Laura A. (July 22, 2020). "What is House Bill 6, the nuclear bailout law at center of Ohio's bribery scandal?". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
- ^ "House Bill 6 Roll Call". Ohio Legislature. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
- ^ Funk, John (July 22, 2020). "Rep. Shane Wilkin defends HB 6 role after Householder arrest". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
- ^ "Utility Money Still Flows in Ohio Politics After HB6 Scandal". Center for Public Integrity. June 7, 2021. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
Links
[edit]Members of the Ohio Senate | ||
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136th General Assembly (2025-2027)
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