Bob Hackett is a Republican politician from Ohio who served in the state legislature for over a decade. Born on August 3, 1949, he represented the 10th district in the Ohio Senate from 2016 to 2024. He was initially appointed to the Senate in early 2016 to succeed Chris Widener, who resigned, and was subsequently elected by the Ohio Senate Republican Caucus on February 23, 2016.

Education

Hackett attended London High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Columbia University, graduating in 1971.

Political Experience

Before his service in the Ohio Senate, Hackett represented Ohio House Districts 84 and 74 from 2008 to 2016. Prior to entering the state legislature, he served as a Madison County Commissioner from 2001 to 2008.

During his time in the Ohio Senate, Hackett held several committee positions, including Chair of the Insurance Committee and member of committees focused on Agriculture and Natural Resources, Financial Institutions and Technology, Rules and Reference, and Veterans and Public Safety. He co-sponsored Ohio Senate Bill 23 in 2019, known as the "Heartbeat Bill," which banned abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detectable—typically around six weeks into pregnancy—with no exceptions for rape or incest.

Beyond his legislative roles, Hackett has been involved with various community organizations, including the Madison County Hospital, Choctaw Lake Property Owners Association, Madison County Farmland Preservation Task Force, the Entrepreneurship Institute of Ohio, and the American Legislative Exchange Council .