Bob Gibbs

For persons of a similar name, see Robert Gibbs (disambiguation).

Robert Brian Gibbs^[1] (born June 14, 1954) is an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for Ohio's 7th congressional district from 2011 to 2023. He is a member of the Republican Party. In April 2022, Gibbs announced he was not seeking reelection.^[2]

Bob Gibbs
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio
In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2023
Preceded by	Zack Space
Succeeded by	Max Miller
Constituency	18th district (2011–2013) 7th district (2013–2023)
Member of the Ohio Senate from the 22nd district
In office January 5, 2009 – January 3, 2011
Preceded by	Ron Amstutz
Succeeded by	Larry Obhof
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 97th district
In office January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2009
Preceded by	Bryan Flannery
Succeeded by	Dave Hall
Personal details
Born	Robert Brian Gibbs (1954-06-14) June 14, 1954 (age 69) Peru, Indiana, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Jody Cox ​ (m. 1977)​
Children	3
Education	Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute (AAS)

Early life, education, and agricultural career

Gibbs was born on June 14, 1954, in Peru, Indiana. His family moved to Cleveland in the 1960s, and Gibbs graduated from Bay High School. In 1974, he graduated from the Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute^[3] and moved to Lakeville, Ohio, where he co-founded Hidden Hollow Farms, Ltd. Formerly a producer of swine, Hidden Hollow Farms now produces corn and soybeans.^[4]

Gibbs served as president of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation,^[5] Ohio's largest agriculture organization. He first joined the Ohio Farm Bureau board of trustees in 1985. Gibbs also served as a board member of the Farm Bureau Bank, the Ohio Livestock Coalition, the Ohio Cooperative Council, and the Ohio Farm Bureau Alliance. He was president of the Loudonville Farmers Equity Company^[6] in Loudonville, Ohio, where he served on the board for 12 years. Gibbs has also served as president of the Holmes County extension advisory committee, the Holmes County Farm Bureau, and as a supervisor for the Holmes County Soil & Water Conservation Service.^[7]

Ohio House of Representatives

 

Elections

Gibbs was elected to the Ohio General Assembly in 2002, defeating Democrat Tom Mason of Ashland for a newly drawn district in the Ohio House.^[8] He was reelected in 2004 in a rematch against Mason.^[9] In the 2006 election, Gibbs defeated Democratic nominee James P. Riley,^[10] a former township trustee from Sullivan, Ohio, with 60% of the vote. In 2009, Gibbs ran for Ohio Senate to fill the seat vacated by state senator Ron Amstutz due to term limits.

Tenure

In 2006 Gibbs was appointed a member of the special task force to study eminent domain and its use and application in Ohio. The committee spent most of the year studying the issue and issued its final report in August 2006 with recommendations to the General Assembly.^[11]

Committee assignments

During his last term Gibbs was chairman of the House ways and means committee. He was also a member of the agriculture & natural resources committee, financial institutions, real estate and securities committee, health care access and affordability committee, and the insurance committee. ^{[citation needed]}

Ohio Senate

Elections

Gibbs won election to the Ohio Senate in 2008, and began his first term in 2009. On August 16, 2007, he announced his he candidacy for the 22nd district senate seat being vacated by the term-limited incumbent senator, Ron Amstutz. Gibbs originally expected to face a primary challenge from state representative Jim Carmichael, but Carmichael dropped out of the race on October 21 in order to run for Wayne County commissioner. In the general election Gibbs defeated Democratic nominee James E. Riley, a job/security representative for the U.A.W. international union, with 59% of the vote.^[12]

After winning election to Congress in 2010, Gibbs resigned from the Senate after serving half of one term.^[13]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2010

See also: 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio § District 18*

Gibbs faced Democratic incumbent Zack Space and Constitution Party nominee Lindsey Sutton in the general election. He won the Republican primary in an 8-way field. Following close results and a recount, Gibbs was certified the winner on June 4, a month after the primary.^[14]

On November 2, Gibbs defeated Space in the general election by nearly 14%. Gibbs won 14 of the 16 counties in the district.^[15]

2012

See also: 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio § District 7

After redistricting, Gibbs decided to run in the newly redrawn Ohio's 7th congressional district.^[16][17] He defeated Democratic nominee Joyce Healy-Abrams^[18] in the November general election.^[19]

2014

See also: 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio § District 7

Gibbs was reelected to a third term unopposed.^[20]

2016

See also: 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio § District 7

Gibbs was reelected to a fourth term, defeating Democrat Roy Rich and independent Dan Phillip with 64% of the vote.

2018

See also: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio § District 7

Gibbs was reelected to a fifth term, defeating Democrat Ken Harbaugh with 58.7% of the vote.

2020

See also: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio § District 7

Gibbs was reelected to a sixth term, defeating Democrat Quentin Potter and Libertarian Brandon Lape with 67.5% of the vote.

Tenure

On March 4, 2013, Gibbs introduced the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2013 (H.R. 935; 113th Congress), a bill that would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and states authorized to issue a permit under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) from requiring a permit for some discharges of pesticides authorized for use under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).^[21][22] In 2018, Gibbs was supported by the Great America Committee, a political action committee registered by Vice President Mike Pence.^[23]

In 2015, Gibbs cosponsored a resolution to amend the US constitution to ban same-sex marriage.^[24]

In December 2020, Gibbs was one of 126 Republican members of the House of Representatives to sign an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed at the United States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden defeated^[25] incumbent Donald Trump. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on the basis that Texas lacked standing under Article III of the Constitution to challenge the results of an election held by another state.^[26][27][28]

On January 6, 2021, Gibbs objected to the certification of the 2020 presidential election results in Congress based on false claims of voter fraud.^[29] On April 6, 2022, he announced that he would not seek reelection in 2022, blaming the redistricting "circus", referring to the still unresolved Ohio congressional map. "These long, drawn-out processes, in which the Ohio Supreme Court can take weeks and months to deliberate while demanding responses and filings from litigants within days, is detrimental to the state and does not serve the people of Ohio", he said.^[30]

Gibbs supported efforts to impeach President Biden. In September 2021, Gibbs introduced a resolution to impeach Biden for his handling of United States-Mexico border security, his extension of the federal COVID-19 eviction moratorium, and his handling of the withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan.^[31] In August 2021, Gibbs co-sponsored a resolution to impeach Alejandro Mayorkas, Biden's Secretary of Homeland Security.^[32]

Committee assignments

• Committee on Agriculture
  • Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry
  • Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management
• Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
  • Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management
  • Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
  • Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment (chair)

Caucus memberships

• Republican Study Committee^[33]
• Republican Main Street Partnership^[34]
• Congressional Constitution Caucus^[35]
• Congressional Western Caucus^[36]

Personal life

Gibbs is married to Jody Cox of Wooster, Ohio. They have three children and are members of Nashville United Methodist Church in Nashville, Ohio.^[37]

Electoral history

Election results^[38]
Year	Office	Election		Subject	Party	Votes	%		Opponent	Party	Votes	%		Opponent	Party	Votes	%
2002	Ohio House of Representatives	General		Bob Gibbs	Republican	18,182	62.44%		Thomas Mason	Democratic	10,939	37.56%
2004	Ohio House of Representatives	General		Bob Gibbs	Republican	30,097	64.80%		Thomas Mason	Democratic	16,352	35.20%
2006	Ohio House of Representatives	General		Bob Gibbs	Republican	21,853	60.48%		James E. Riley	Democratic	14,280	39.52%
2008	Ohio Senate	General		Bob Gibbs	Republican	90,111	59.05%		James E. Riley	Democratic	62,504	40.96%
2010	U.S. House of Representatives	General		Bob Gibbs	Republican	107,426	53.86%		Zack Space	Democratic	80,756	40.49%		Lindsey Sutton	Constitution	11,244	5.64%	*
2012	U.S. House of Representatives	General		Bob Gibbs	Republican	178,104	56.40%		Joyce Healy-Abrams	Democratic	137,708	43.60%
2014	U.S. House of Representatives	General		Bob Gibbs	Republican	143,959	100.00%
2016	U.S. House of Representatives	General		Bob Gibbs	Republican	198,221	64.04%		Roy Rich	Democratic	89,638	28.96%		Dan Phillip	Independent	21,694	7.01%
2018	U.S. House of Representatives	General		Bob Gibbs	Republican	150,317	58.85%		Ken Harbaugh	Democratic	105,105	41.15%
2020	U.S. House of Representatives	General		Bob Gibbs	Republican	236,607	67.05%		Quentin Potter	Democratic	102,271	29.02%		Brandon Lape	Libertarian	11,671	3.03%

*In 2010, write-in candidate Mark Pitrone received 20 votes.

References

1. . The Washington Times. Archived from the original on 2012-10-28. Retrieved 2012-08-31.
2. Mutnick, Ally (6 April 2022). "Ohio Republican Bob Gibbs to retire amid redistricting chaos". Politico. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
3. "U. S. Rep. Bob Gibbs '74 to speak at 40th Commencement". ati.osu.edu. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
4. "New Members 2010". The Hill. 27 October 2010. Retrieved 2011-03-09.
5. Crowell, Susan (2000-12-07). "McClure unseats OFB president in state leadership shake-up - Farm and Dairy". Farm and Dairy. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
6. "Agricultural Success". Loudonville Farmers Equity.
7. . House.gov. Archived from the original on 2011-03-03. Retrieved 2011-03-09.
8. "State Representative - Ohio Secretary of State". www.sos.state.oh.us. Retrieved 2018-05-25.
9. "Ohio House of Representatives: November 2, 2004 - Ohio Secretary of State". www.sos.state.oh.us. Retrieved 2018-05-25.
10. "Ohio House of Representatives: November 7, 2006 - Ohio Secretary of State". www.sos.state.oh.us. Retrieved 2018-05-25.
11. "Legislature weighs eminent domain". Farm and Dairy. 2007-06-14. Retrieved 2011-03-09.
12. "State Senator: November 4, 2008 - Ohio Secretary of State". www.sos.state.oh.us. Retrieved 2018-05-25.
13. "Gongwer News Service - Ohio". www.gongwer-oh.com. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
14. "Representative to Congress - Republican: May 4, 2010 - Ohio Secretary of State". www.sos.state.oh.us. Retrieved 2018-05-25.
15. "Representative to Congress: November 2, 2010 - Ohio Secretary of State". www.sos.state.oh.us. Retrieved 2018-05-25.
16. "Our Campaigns - OH District 07 - R Primary Race - Mar 06, 2012". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
17. . Archived from the original on 2013-07-27. Retrieved 2012-02-14.
18. (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-11-18. Retrieved 2012-10-09.
19. Genson, Loren (7 November 2012). "U.S. Rep. Bob Gibbs wins re-election in 7th District". medinagazette.northcoastnow.com. Medina Gazette. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
20. "Ohio House results -- 2014 Election Center -- Elections and Politics from CNN.com". CNN. Retrieved 2018-05-15.
21. "CBO – H.R. 935". Congressional Budget Office. 19 March 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
22. "H.R. 935 – Summary". United States Congress. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
23. "Pence's PAC gives to 30 House members in second round of donations". POLITICO. Retrieved 2018-07-25.
24. Huelskamp, Tim (2015-02-12). "Cosponsors - H.J.Res.32 - 114th Congress (2015-2016): Marriage Protection Amendment". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2022-04-11.
25. Blood, Michael R.; Riccardi, Nicholas (December 5, 2020). "Biden officially secures enough electors to become president". AP News. from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
26. Liptak, Adam (2020-12-11). "Supreme Court Rejects Texas Suit Seeking to Subvert Election". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
27. "Order in Pending Case" (PDF). Supreme Court of the United States. 2020-12-11. (PDF) from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
28. Diaz, Daniella. "Brief from 126 Republicans supporting Texas lawsuit in Supreme Court". CNN. from the original on December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
29. Yourish, Karen; Buchanan, Larry; Lu, Denise (2021-01-07). "The 147 Republicans Who Voted to Overturn Election Results". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-01-10.
30. "Republican congressman Bob Gibbs retires, blaming redistricting 'circus'". the Guardian. Associated Press. 2022-04-06. Retrieved 2022-04-06.
31. "H.Res.671 - Impeaching Joseph R. Biden, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
32. "H.Res.582 - Impeaching Alejandro Nicholas Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, for high crimes and misdemeanors". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
33. . Republican Study Committee. Archived from the original on 1 January 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
34. . Republican Main Street Partnership. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
35. . Congressional Constitution Caucus. Archived from the original on 14 June 2018. Retrieved 8 May 2018.
36. "Members". Congressional Western Caucus. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
37. "Religious affiliation of members of 115th Congress" (PDF). Pew Research Center. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
38. . Ohio Secretary of State. Archived from the original on August 15, 2012. Retrieved December 5, 2016.

External links

• Bob Gibbs at Curlie
• Appearances on C-SPAN
• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
• Profile at Vote Smart

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Zack Space	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 18th congressional district 2011–2013	Succeeded by Constituency abolished
Preceded by Steve Austria	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 7th congressional district 2013–2023	Succeeded by Max Miller
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by Bob McEwen as Former US Representative	Order of precedence of the United States as Former US Representative	Succeeded by Bill Johnson as Former US Representative