WILMINGTON — State Senator Bob Peterson, who represents the 17th Ohio Senate District — which encompasses Clinton, Fayette, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Pike and Ross counties as well as portions of Lawrence, Pickaway and Vinton counties — recently spoke to the Wilmington Rotary Club which meets at noon at Damon’s restaurant.
A farmer by trade, Sen. Peterson and his brother are the eighth generation of Petersons to farm in the U.S.
Peterson raises corn, soybeans, wheat and livestock on his family’s farm. He also has been active in the Farm Bureau in a variety of leadership positions, culminating to his position as Ohio Farm Bureau President for nearly five years.
He joined the Ohio Senate in 2012 and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Rules and Reference Committee and as a member of the Ways and Means Committee, Agriculture Committee, Government Oversight and Reform Committee, Local Government, Public Safety and Veterans Affairs Committee, and Finance General Government Subcommittee.
Peterson received his bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University, and is also a graduate of its LEAD Program, an intense two-year agriculture leadership program that features extensive experience in economics, environmental issues and state and national political processes.
Senator Peterson, who is running for re-election in November, stated that he campaigned on tax cuts, regulatory reform and Bureau of Workers Compensation reform. He believes that those goals have been met. Senator Peterson credits the 2010 Republican wave, from the governor down, with making the financial, economic and employment gains in Ohio possible over the past eight years.
Peterson stressed that there are still gains to be made. In talking with businesses, the first statement is always, “Show me my workforce.” Peterson said that employers are looking for employees who possess a work ethic, job skills and like skills.
