COLUMBUS — A sitting state representative has joined a former colleague in vying next year for the Ohio Senate seat to be vacated by that chamber’s president, Rob McColley (R., Napoleon).
Rep. Jim Hoops (R., Napoleon), nearing the end of his second eight-year cycle in the House of Representatives, announced Monday he will seek the Republican nomination for the 1st District encompassing most of the rural northwest corner of the state.
“I am excited to offer the citizens of the 1st Senate District an extensive history and long track record of common-sense, conservative representation in the Ohio legislature,” the former Henry County auditor said.
“Senator McColley has set the bar high,” Mr. Hoops said. “It’s imperative that whoever follows in his footsteps will continue moving the conservative agenda forward for the benefit of families and communities throughout the district.”
His announcement follows that of former Rep. Craig Riedel (R., Defiance).
Mr. Hoops represents the 81st District consisting of Henry, Fulton, and Williams counties and northern Defiance county. The 1st Senate District adds the rest of Defiance County; the counties of Hancock, Paulding, Putnam, Hardin, and Van Wert; and northern Logan.
If he is elected, this would not be the first time that Mr. Hoops has replaced Mr. McColley. When then Rep. McColley was appointed to a vacancy in the upper chamber in 2018, Mr. Hoops was selected by his fellow Republicans to replace him in the House.
This marked Mr. Hoops’ return to the House. He served eight years in the chamber from 1999 to 2007 before running up against term limits.
At that time he tried to move to the Senate but lost the GOP nomination to another term-limited Republican lawmaker, Steve Buehrer, then of Fulton County.
In his second stint in the House, he rose as high as majority whip, bridging what was then a splintered Republican caucus. Mr. Hoops supported then Rep. Derek Merrin (R., Monclova Township) for Speaker of the House at the start of 2023, but he served in leadership under the ultimate winner, Speaker Jason Stephens (R., Kitts Hill).
He currently chairs the House Development Committee.
Mr. Hoops touts his conservative positions on abortion, gun rights, and tax issues.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in business and computer programming from Northwest State University of Louisiana. He is associate vice president for strategic initiatives at Northwest State Community College in Archbold.
The 1st District is very Republican friendly. Mr. McColley faced no opposition when re-elected in 2022.
First Published April 14, 2025, 8:28 p.m.
