Bill Harris

Senator Bill Harris represents Ohio’s 19th Senate District and serves as President of the Ohio Senate. He chairs the Senate Rules Committee, which determines the agenda for each session of the Senate. He also serves as vice-chair of the Senate Reference Committee, and is a member of the Joint Legislative Ethics Commission, Controlling Board, the Legislative Committee on Education Oversight and the Legislative Service Commission.

During his time in the legislature, Senator Harris has received numerous awards including Watchdog of the Treasury, Ohio Amvet’s Legislative Award, Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council Leadership Award and the Career & Technical Education Award. He has proudly maintained a 100% session attendance and voting record since joining the legislature in 1995.

Harris, a former U.S. Marine, served in the Korean War as a machine gunner and a platoon commander. After Korea he attended the US Army Counterintelligence School, and then served the remainder of his 23-year career with the USMC as an intelligence and counterintelligence officer, serving two tours of duty in Vietnam. Senator Harris retired from the military as a Major with numerous decorations for valor and outstanding service, including two Bronze Star awards and the Vietnam Medal of Honor First Class.

Senator Harris has served as chairman of the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the Ashland United Way Campaign, director of the Huntington National Bank of Ashland, Ashland University trustee and Samaritan Hospital trustee. He is a member of the John M. Ashbrook Center Board of Advisors.

Harris earned his B.A. in Secondary Education from the University of Arizona. Harris was also awarded an honorary doctorate of law degree from Ashland University.