Robert Cole Sprague

Robert Cole Sprague was born on April 18, 1973, in Findlay, Ohio, where he remains rooted in his community. He is a Republican politician who has devoted his career to public service and financial stewardship. Sprague is married to Amanda and has four children.

Sprague first entered public service in his hometown of Findlay, serving as city auditor and treasurer. In these roles, he balanced the city's budgets and helped finance recovery efforts following historic floods and the 2008 economic recession. He later advanced to state-level politics, representing the 83rd District in the Ohio House of Representatives from 2011 through 2018, where he served on the House Finance and Financial Institutions Committees and was involved in legislative efforts addressing prescription drug abuse.

In 2018, Sprague was elected Ohio Treasurer of State, defeating his Democratic opponent with 53% of the vote. He became the 49th Ohio Treasurer of State on January 14, 2019, and continues to serve in this position. As State Treasurer, he serves as the chief investment officer for the state's investment and debt portfolios, oversees daily cash flows of state monies, and serves as custodian of certain funds and investment assets outside the state treasury.

Education

Sprague holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Duke University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Political Experience

State Treasurer : As Ohio's 49th Treasurer, Sprague has launched several initiatives focused on fiscal responsibility and innovation:
- ResultsOHIO: A program empowering policymakers and innovators to pursue pay-for-success projects addressing social and public health challenges, ensuring public dollars are only used when projects deliver verifiable results
- Ohio Gains Initiative: Unveiled in fall 2021, this investment reform program created cost savings opportunities for Ohio-based businesses while investing more state tax dollars within Ohio, including an overhaul of the Ag-LINK program providing reduced-interest loans to farmers

Ohio House of Representatives : Represented the 83rd District and served on the House Finance and Financial Institutions Committees.

Local Government: Previously served as city auditor and treasurer in Findlay, where he managed municipal budgets and coordinated recovery efforts following natural disasters and economic crises.