Former state Rep. Terry Johnson chosen to fill Southwest Ohio Senate seat

COLUMBUS – Senate Republicans have chosen former state Rep. Terry Johnson to fill a Senate seat vacated last month by Sen. Joe Uecker.

Johnson is a physician and retired military officer who lives in McDermott. Johnson was elected to the Ohio House in 2010 and served the maximum four terms, leaving in December 2018.

A Senate GOP screening committee interviewed six candidates on Tuesday. On Wednesday, they recommended Johnson serve the rest of Uecker's term, which ends December 2020. other candidates considered included Rep. John Becker, R-Union Township, and Rep. Doug Green, R-Mount Orab, and Clermont County GOP Chairman Greg Simpson.

"I’m confident Terry will represent the people of the 14th Senate District well," Senate President Larry Obhof, R-Medina, said in a news release. "His life’s work has been helping Ohioans overcome challenges and achieve their potential, whether that’s in a doctor’s office, on a battlefield or in a classroom, and we look forward to working with him in the Senate."

Johnson works with people addicted to alcohol and opiates as the director of Medically Assisted Treatment and Integrated Health Services at Valley View Health Centers in Waverly. He previously served as Scioto County coroner for 10 years.

“It is an honor to be selected as the next senator for Ohio’s 14th Senate District. Serving others is one of the great joys of my life, and I’m looking forward to getting to work once again in the legislature for the people of southern Ohio,” Johnson said in a statement.

Uecker, a Miami Township Republican, would have been up for re-election in November 2020. He announced last month he was resigning to take a position with the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Johnson's appointment sets him up to be the incumbent candidate in the solidly Republican district. The district includes Adams, Brown, Clermont, Scioto counties and part of Lawrence County.

Senate Republicans will vote on the recommendation at an upcoming session, expected to be Sept. 18.