# Cliff Hite

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Cliff_Hite
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Cliff_Hite.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliff_Hite
> Source revision: 1345629273
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

{{short description|American politician, teacher, and football coach}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Cliff Hite
| image          = Cliff Hite - District 1 - Ohio Senate 130th General Assemby 2013-2014 - DPLA - 4dd33bcc8c6b71853ab731d33616f568 (page 10) (cropped).jpg
| state_senate        = Ohio
| state               = Ohio
| district            = [1st](/source/Ohio's_1st_senatorial_district)
| term_start          = February 1, 2011
| term_end            = October 17, 2017
| preceded            = [Steve Buehrer](/source/Steve_Buehrer)
| succeeded           = [Rob McColley](/source/Rob_McColley)
| state_house2        = Ohio
| state2              = Ohio
| district2           = 76th
| term_start2         = January 1, 2007
| term_end2           = February 1, 2011
| preceded2           = [Mike Gilb](/source/Mike_Gilb)
| succeeded2          = [Robert Sprague](/source/Robert_Sprague)
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|1954|09|04}}
| birth_place         = [Findlay, Ohio](/source/Findlay%2C_Ohio), U.S.
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [Republican](/source/Republican_Party_(United_States))
| education           = [Findlay High School](/source/Findlay_High_School) (1972)
| alma_mater          = [University of Kentucky](/source/University_of_Kentucky) ([B.S.](/source/Bachelor_of_Science) 1977)
| profession          = Teacher, Coach
}}

'''Cliff Hite''' (born September 4, 1954) is a [Republican](/source/Ohio_Republican_Party) politician who formerly represented the [1st district](/source/Ohio's_1st_senatorial_district) of the [Ohio Senate](/source/Ohio_Senate) from 2011 to 2017.  Before serving in the senate, he represented the [Ohio House of Representatives](/source/Ohio_House_of_Representatives) from 2007 to 2011. He was the Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee before resigning on October 17, 2017.<ref name="cleveland.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/10/ohio_sen_cliff_hite_resigns.html|title=Ohio Sen. Cliff Hite resigns|publisher=}}</ref><ref name="thecourier.com">{{cite web|url=http://thecourier.com/breaking-news/2017/10/17/reports-state-sen-cliff-hite-resigns/|title=UPDATED: State Sen. Cliff Hite resigns; successor search to start soon|publisher=|access-date=2017-10-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018071318/http://thecourier.com/breaking-news/2017/10/17/reports-state-sen-cliff-hite-resigns/|archive-date=2017-10-18|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="toledoblade.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/Politics/2017/10/17/Hite-abruptly-resigns-Ohio-Senate-seat.html|title=Findlay's Hite abruptly resigns Ohio Senate seat|date=17 October 2017|publisher=}}</ref>

==Teaching career==
Hite graduated in Findlay, Ohio from [Findlay High School](/source/Findlay_High_School) in 1972, and obtained his B.S. degree from the [University of Kentucky](/source/University_of_Kentucky) in 1977 in Secondary Studies with an emphasis in social studies.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.hiteisright.com/about_Cliff_Hite.htm | title = About Clifford R. Hite | accessdate = 2011-03-23 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110711171819/http://www.hiteisright.com/about_Cliff_Hite.htm | archive-date = 2011-07-11 | url-status = dead }}</ref>

Upon graduating from UK, Hite served in four school districts as teacher.  From 1977 to 1980, Hite taught in [Danville, Kentucky](/source/Danville%2C_Kentucky) at [Danville High School](/source/Danville_High_School_(Kentucky)).  In 1980, Hite returned to Findlay for the first of three years as a teacher at [Findlay High School](/source/Findlay_High_School).  Hite spent 1983 to 1996 teaching at [Bryan High School](/source/Bryan_High_School_(Bryan%2C_Ohio)) in [Bryan, Ohio](/source/Bryan%2C_Ohio).  In 1996, Hite returned to Findlay High School where he remained until 2006 when he was elected to the [Ohio House of Representatives](/source/Ohio_House_of_Representatives).

The decisions which probably garnered Hite the most national attention during his coaching tenure were those surrounding [Ben Roethlisberger](/source/Ben_Roethlisberger), the former starting [quarterback](/source/quarterback) for the [Pittsburgh Steelers](/source/Pittsburgh_Steelers). Roethlisberger did not play quarterback until his senior year of 1999-2000, giving way to Cliff Hite's son, Ryan Hite. Roethslisberger played college quarterback at Division I [Miami University](/source/Miami_University) in [Oxford, Ohio](/source/Oxford%2C_Ohio). Roethlisberger holds every major passing record at the school and a number of passing records in the [Mid-American Conference](/source/Mid-American_Conference), although he only played for three years. Ryan Hite played college wide receiver at Division III [Denison University](/source/Denison_University).

==Political career==
Hite was elected to the [Ohio House of Representatives](/source/Ohio_House_of_Representatives) in 2006, defeating Democrat John Kostyo with 59.94% of the vote.<ref>Blackwell, Kenneth [http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/electResultsMain/2006ElectionsResults/06-1107OHReps.aspx 2006 general election results] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110627172608/http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/electResultsMain/2006ElectionsResults/06-1107OHReps.aspx|date=2011-06-27}} (2006-11-07)</ref> In 2008, he won reelection with 98.39% of the vote, and in 2010, won a third term with 70.78% of the vote over Democrat Jeffrey Detmer.<ref>Brunner, Jennifer [http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/electResultsMain/2010results/20101102ohouse.aspx 2010 general election results] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110627172201/http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/electResultsMain/2010results/20101102ohouse.aspx|date=2011-06-27}} (2010-11-02)</ref>

Representative Hite was sworn into a third term on January 3, 2011,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2011/01/04/Brown-Ashford-join-Ohio-legislature.html|title=Brown, Ashford join Ohio legislature|website=The Blade|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012185413/http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2011/01/04/Brown-Ashford-join-Ohio-legislature.html|archivedate=2012-10-12}}</ref> however, with Senator [Steve Buehrer](/source/Steve_Buehrer)'s pending resignation from the [Ohio Senate](/source/Ohio_Senate) to head the [Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation](/source/Ohio_Bureau_of_Workers'_Compensation) under Governor-elect [John Kasich](/source/John_Kasich), Hite was mentioned as a possible successor.<ref>{{cite news | first = Lindsay | last = Maughn | title = Rep. Hite to pursue Senate seat | date = 2010-11-24 | url = http://www.thecourier.com/Issues/2010/Nov/24/ar_news_112410_story1.asp?d=112410_story1,2010,Nov,24&c=n | work = The Findlay Courier | accessdate = 2011-03-23}}</ref>

It was announced that Hite would be appointed to the Senate in January 2011. Upon announcement of the appointment, Senate President [Tom Niehaus](/source/Tom_Niehaus) stated “Cliff Hite knows the many challenges that are facing our state, but he is not afraid to roll up his sleeves and delve into the issues.”<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/Politics/2011/01/13/Hite-likely-to-get-appointed-to-Buehrer-s-seat-in-Senate.html|title=Hite likely to get appointed to Buehrer's seat in Senate|website=The Blade|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012185508/http://www.toledoblade.com/Politics/2011/01/13/Hite-likely-to-get-appointed-to-Buehrer-s-seat-in-Senate.html|archivedate=2012-10-12}}</ref>

Hite won reelection to complete the unexpired term in 2012 unopposed, and again in 2014 for a full term.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.limaohio.com/news/home_top-news/50622585/Cupp-McColley-win-state-seats |title=Cupp, McColley win state seats |work=LimaOhio.com |date=November 4, 2014 |access-date=November 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129014413/http://www.limaohio.com/news/home_top-news/50622585/Cupp-McColley-win-state-seats |archive-date=November 29, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Hite, along with fellow senator [Randy Gardner](/source/Randy_Gardner_(politician)) successfully proposed "Sierra's Law" (which was named after [Sierah Joughin, who was murdered by James D. Worley](/source/Murder_of_Sierah_Joughin)). Originally, the [bill](/source/Bill_(law)) was intended to allow the public to search on a website for offenders with the qualifying convictions, similar to a [sex offender registry](/source/sex_offender_registry). After several hearings, where some opponents such as the [ACLU](/source/American_Civil_Liberties_Union) argued that the bill did nothing to protect the public and created privacy concerns,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Provance|first=Jim|date=2018-11-27|title=ACLU lobbyist raises concerns about violent offender registry|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/local/politics/2018/11/27/concerns-raised-about-violent-offender-registry-sierahs-law/stories/20181127148|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329165745/https://www.toledoblade.com/local/politics/2018/11/27/concerns-raised-about-violent-offender-registry-sierahs-law/stories/20181127148|archive-date=2019-03-29|access-date=2019-03-29|website=Toledo Blade}}</ref> the bill was changed so that residents must visit their local sheriff's office to request a search be performed.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-12-05|title=Sierah's Law passes unanimously 85-0|url=http://www.wtol.com/2018/12/05/sierahs-law-passes-unanimously-/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207114804/http://www.wtol.com/2018/12/05/sierahs-law-passes-unanimously-/|archive-date=2019-02-07|access-date=2019-03-29|website=[WTOL](/source/WTOL)}}</ref> In November 2017, "Sierah's Law" was introduced to the Ohio Senate as Senate Bill 231.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Senate Bill 231 {{!}} The Ohio Legislature|url=https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA132-SB-231|access-date=2019-03-29|website=www.legislature.ohio.gov}}</ref> Joughin's mother spoke before legislators in November 2018, urging them to pass the bill.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Provance|first=Jim|date=2018-11-14|title=Joughin's mother urges lawmakers to pass 'Sierah's Law'|url=http://www.toledoblade.com/local/politics/2018/11/13/sierah-joughins-mother-sheila-vaculik-urges-passage-of-violent-offender-registry/stories/20181113143|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117004419/http://www.toledoblade.com/local/politics/2018/11/13/sierah-joughins-mother-sheila-vaculik-urges-passage-of-violent-offender-registry/stories/20181113143|archive-date=2018-11-17|access-date=2019-04-05|website=Toledo Blade|language=en}}</ref> It was passed on December 6, 2018, and signed into law by Governor [John Kasich](/source/John_Kasich) on December 19.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Sierah's Law|url=https://justiceforsierah.org/sierahs-law/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329165741/https://justiceforsierah.org/sierahs-law/|archive-date=2019-03-29|access-date=2019-03-29|website=Justice For Sierah}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-12-19|title=Governor Kasich signs "Sierah's Law"|url=https://www.13abc.com/content/news/Governor-Kasich-signs-Sierahs-Law-503149231.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219233553/https://www.13abc.com/content/news/Governor-Kasich-signs-Sierahs-Law-503149231.html|archive-date=2018-12-19|access-date=2019-03-29|website=www.13abc.com}}</ref> It went into effect on March 20, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Senate Bill 231|url=https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA132-SB-231|access-date=2019-11-17|website=[Ohio General Assembly](/source/Ohio_General_Assembly)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=July 2019|title=SENATE BILL 231 –VIOLENT OFFENDER DATABASE "Sierah's Law"|url=https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/Boards/Sentencing/resources/judPractitioner/SB231QRG.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805130726/https://www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/Boards/Sentencing/resources/judPractitioner/SB231QRG.pdf|archive-date=2020-08-05|access-date=2020-05-08|website=Ohio Criminal Sentencing Commission}}</ref>

===Resignation===
{{See also|Me Too movement}}
He abruptly resigned on October 17, 2017<ref name="cleveland.com"/><ref name="thecourier.com"/><ref name="toledoblade.com"/> citing "inappropriate behavior" and "failing health" as reasons for his resignation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/10/cliff_hite_says_inappropriate.html|title=Cliff Hite says 'inappropriate behavior' with state worker led him to resign Ohio Senate|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://wktn.com/local-news/328948|title=Hite Apologizes For Inappropriate Conduct|first=Envisionwise Website Service /|last=LinkedUpRadio|website=wktn.com|access-date=2017-10-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019055638/http://wktn.com/local-news/328948|archive-date=2017-10-19|url-status=dead}}</ref> News reports stated that prior to his resignation, Hite had repeatedly propositioned a state employee for sex.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2017/10/new_documents_allege_former_oh.html|title=Former Ohio Sen. Cliff Hite repeatedly propositioned a state employee for sex, document says|publisher=Cleveland.com|date=27 October 2017|accessdate=31 October 2017}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170616024651/http://ohiosenate.gov/hite/biography The Ohio Senate: Senator Cliff Hite (R) - District 1|date=June 16, 2017}}
{{OhioSen01stDst}}
{{Kentucky Wildcats quarterback navbox}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hite, Cliff}}
Category:Republican Party members of the Ohio House of Representatives
Category:21st-century members of the Ohio General Assembly
Category:People from Findlay, Ohio
Category:University of Kentucky alumni
Category:Living people
Category:1954 births
Category:Republican Party Ohio state senators

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Cliff Hite](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliff_Hite) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliff_Hite?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.