Laura Lanese

Laura Lanese is a Republican politician from Ohio who currently serves as President and CEO of the Inter-University Council of Ohio. She previously represented the 23rd District of the Ohio House of Representatives, which includes Grove City, Jackson Township, Urbancrest, and portions of Hilliard, Norwich Township, Prairie Township, Franklin County, and Columbus.

Lanese is a veteran of the Ohio Air National Guard and the US Army Reserve, where she performed administrative, legal, and intelligence duties. She resides in Grove City, Ohio, with her spouse Mike Lanese, a former Ohio State football player, and their three children.

Education

Lanese holds degrees from multiple institutions:

• Bachelor of Arts from Miami University
• Juris Doctor from Ohio State University
• Master of Laws from Georgetown University

Political Experience

*Ohio House of Representatives *

Lanese served three terms in the Ohio House, beginning January 3, 2017. During her tenure, she held several significant positions:

• Chair of the Higher Education Committee
• Vice Chair of the Veteran's and Armed Services Committee
• Vice Chair of the Civil Justice and Criminal Justice Committees
• Assistant Majority Whip for the House Republican Caucus
• Member of ad hoc committees including the Mental Health Caucus, Aviation and Aerospace Technology Committee, and Joint Legislative Ethics Committee

She successfully sponsored multiple bills that became law, including legislation designating the first Saturday in May as Veterans Suicide Awareness Day, permitting dogs in outdoor dining areas, adding judges to the Franklin County Domestic Relations Division, and raising the marriage age to 18 with exceptions for emancipated 17-year-olds.

Other Experience

• Grove City City Council: Elected to two terms , where she championed transparency and fiscal responsibility
• US District Court: Worked as a habeas corpus attorney in Columbus
• US Department of Justice: Served as an Assistant Attorney General handling political asylum cases in Washington, DC
• Connecticut government: Served as Director of Municipal Services at the Capitol Region Council of Governments in Hartford for ten years

Lanese is also a published author of four books, including three local histories and one about Ohio State football.