Shane Wilkin is a Republican state senator representing Ohio's 17th Senate District, which includes Fayette, Gallia, Highland, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, and Vinton counties, as well as part of Perry County. Born on August 8, 1970, he is a lifelong Southern Ohio native, small business owner , and resident of Highland County with his wife, Judge Kristy Wilkin of Ohio’s Fourth District Court of Appeals, and their two daughters, Piper and Parker. Notable achievements include chairing the Senate Public Utilities Committee, previously chairing the General Government and Sunset Review Committees, and serving on committees for Finance, Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Local Government. He is Co-Chair of the Sportsmen’s Caucus of Ohio, serves on the Ohio Power Siting Board and Ohio Controlling Board, and has earned an “A+” rating from the Buckeye Firearms Association and National Rifle Association for Second Amendment advocacy, plus four consecutive Awards for Conservative Achievement from the American Conservative Union.

Education and Political Experience

Education details are not specified in public records.

Wilkin’s political career includes three terms as Highland County Commissioner, where he also chaired the Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission. He served in the Ohio House of Representatives for the 91st District from 2018 to 2023, appointed after winning a primary amid a scandal involving his predecessor. There, he authored the Ohio Business Fairness Act to support small businesses. He began his first term in the Ohio Senate in 2023.