Nickie J. Antonio is a Democratic state senator representing Ohio's 23rd District, which includes parts of Cuyahoga County such as the western third of Cleveland and nearby suburbs. Born on June 2, 1955, in Cleveland, she serves as Senate Minority Leader, the highest-ranking Democrat in the Ohio Senate, and is the first LGBTQ+ member elected to the Ohio General Assembly and Senate, as well as the first woman to hold the District 23 seat. Notable achievements include championing bipartisan laws like Ohio's adoption open records law, step therapy reform, abolishing shackling of pregnant inmates, and requiring pharmacist education for naloxone distribution. She has repeatedly introduced the Ohio Fairness Act for LGBTQ+ civil rights protections, advocates ending the death penalty, supports abortion rights and workers' rights, and is recognized for bipartisan collaboration on health policy.

Education and Political Experience

Education: First in her family to graduate college, with a Bachelor of Science in Education and Master of Public Administration from Cleveland State University.

Political Experience:
- Ohio Senate Minority Leader ; Assistant Minority Leader
- Elected to Ohio Senate, District 23
- Ohio House of Representatives, District 13 ; Minority Whip
- Lakewood City Councilmember at Large
- Prior roles: Executive Director of an outpatient drug and alcohol treatment program for women, Adjunct Professor, teacher for children with special needs
- Current committees: Ranking Member, Transportation; member of Rules and Reference, Joint Legislative Ethics, and others
- Past leadership: Chair, Ohio House Democratic Women's Caucus; State Director, National Women Legislators’ Lobby; Ohio Redistricting Commission