Thad Claggett

Thad Claggett is a Republican state representative serving Ohio's 68th House District, which covers portions of Licking County including Newark. He assumed office on January 3, 2023, after defeating Mark Fraizer in the 2022 Republican primary and write-in candidate Daniel Crawford in the general election, succeeding Shawn Stevens. Currently in his second term as of 2026, he chairs the House Technology and Innovation Committee and serves on the Commerce and Labor, Government Oversight, and Personal Insurance and Pensions committees. Notable achievements include co-sponsoring enacted legislation excusing breastfeeding mothers from jury duty and increasing penalties for fleeing police, alongside deep community involvement as president of the Licking County Library Board, Deacon Chairman at his church, and past roles with the Licking County Chamber of Commerce, NFIB Ohio, and Associated Builders and Contractors.

Thaddeus J. "Thad" Claggett, approximately 53 years old, is a lifelong resident of Licking County with family roots tracing back over 130 years in Newark. He is a civil engineer and president of Claggett & Sons, Inc., a fourth-generation commercial and industrial construction contractor based in Newark that has employed hundreds locally for nearly 70 years. Married to Elizabeth for over 24 years, they have two children . A devout Protestant, Claggett was a founding member in 1997 of his Pataskala church congregation—housed in a building constructed by his company—where he has served as Deacon Chairman for more than two decades. He recently earned a Master's Degree in Theology while balancing family, business, and public service.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: BS in Civil Engineering with a minor in Business Administration; Master's Degree in Theology.
• Political Experience: Elected to Ohio House District 68 in November 2022 . Sworn in January 2023 for the 135th General Assembly; re-elected for second term. As a business advocate, he has championed growth management, small business issues, and merit-shop contracting through prior leadership in NFIB Ohio and Associated Builders and Contractors.