John Boccieri

After his brief sports career, Boccieri worked as a legislative aide for state Rep. Rich Cordray (D-Ohio), who would eventually become the state's treasurer.

State Legislator

In 2000, Boccieri was elected to the Ohio House. During his time as a Columbus lawmaker, Boccieri was also called to serve in Iraq in 2003 as a member of the Ohio National Guard. He spent several weeks as pilot of a C-130 cargo plane, forcing him to forfeit his position as assistant minority whip, the fourth-highest ranked Democrat in the chamber.

In 2006, he moved to the state Senate where he worked extensively on veterans' issues.

2008 House Race

While then-Rep. Ralph Regula (R-Ohio) was mulling whether to retire after 18 terms, Boccieri announced his run for Regula's 16th district seat in May 2007. "We need a change of direction nationally, with respect to what's happening in Iraq, and we need a change with what's happening with our failed trade agreements," Boccieri said. "I feel I can make a difference."

Regula, the longest-serving Ohioan in the House, announced in October 2007 he would forgo the election.

In the open-seat contest, Boccieri faced off against Canton City Councilwoman Mary Cirelli (D) for his party's nomination. He easily won his party's nod, despite not living in the district.

Boccieri's general election opponent was state Sen. Kirk Schuring (R) who was endorsed by Regula and won the GOP nomination in a three-way race, narrowly defeating his closest rival, Ashland County Commissioner Matt Miller (R).

Boccieri, who represented a sliver of the district as a state senator, moved to the district during the House campaign, but his residential status provided fodder for the GOP candidate, who slammed Boccieri's "11th hour move 442 days after he announced his candidacy." Boccieri said the late move was necessary in order to avoid uprooting his family in the middle of a school year.

Boccieri still won the seat with 55 percent of the vote after a campaign in which both sides raised nearly $2.7 million. He became the first Democrat to represent the area in 58 years.

A number of Republicans have decided to run for Boccieri's seat in 2010, most notably former Wadsworth Mayor Jim Renacci (R) whose campaign said it raised $40,000 the day Boccieri said he would vote for health-care reform.

Boccieri sits on the House committees on Agriculture and Transportation and Infrastructure.

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