{{short description|American politician}} {{Infobox officeholder | name=Josh O'Farrell | image= | state_house=Ohio | state=Ohio | district=96th | term=June 2, 2010 – December 31, 2010 | preceded=Allan Sayre | succeeded=Al Landis | birth_date= {{Birth date and age|1981|8|24}} | birth_place=New Philadelphia, Ohio, U.S. | death_date= | death_place= | alma_mater=University of Notre Dame<br>Wake Forest University | profession=Attorney | party=Democratic }}
'''Joshua 'Josh' O'Farrell''' is the former Democratic representative for the 96th District of the Ohio House of Representatives. Following the resignation of Representative Allan Sayre in 2010, he was selected to serve the remainder of the term from a pool of five qualified candidates including O'Farrell, former Belmont County Commissioner Mark Thomas and Harrison County Commissioner Barbara Pincola.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ayres|first=Eric|title=Commissioners welcome new state official|url=http://www.timesleaderonline.com/page/content.detail/id/518841.html|publisher=Times-Leader Online|accessdate=17 July 2012}}</ref> He was narrowly defeated in the 2010 general election and the 2012 general election by Al Landis.<ref>{{cite web|last=Brunner|first=Jennifer|title=Ohio House Of Representatives: November 2, 2010: Amended Official Results|url=http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/elections/Research/electResultsMain/2010results/20101102ohouse.aspx|publisher=The Ohio Secretary of State|accessdate=26 July 2012}}</ref>
He is the Democratic candidate for the 98th District of the Ohio House of Representatives, which encompasses all of Tuscarawas County and the majority of Holmes County.
==Career== O'Farrell is a 2000 graduate of New Philadelphia High School. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame, where he majored in history. He then went on to complete a Juris Doctor degree from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2010. O'Farrell was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 2010 and was also admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.<ref name="O'Farrell Bio">{{cite web|last=O'Farrell|first=Josh|title=Josh O'Farrell: Attorney Profile|url=http://www.lawlion.com/public/attorneys/ofarrell.cfm|work=Tzangas, Plakas, Mannos & Raies, Ltd.|publisher=Tzangas, Plakas, Mannos & Raies, Ltd.|accessdate=16 July 2012|archive-date=7 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407014350/http://lawlion.com/public/attorneys/ofarrell.cfm|url-status=dead}}</ref> He currently holds membership in the Tuscarawas County Bar Association, the Stark County Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Association, and the Ohio Association of Justice.<ref name="O'Farrell Bio"/>
O'Farrell is currently employed as an associate attorney by Tzangas, Plakas, Mannos Ltd. in Canton, Ohio. His experience and focus surrounds representing landowners throughout East Central and Northeast Ohio in oil and gas lease negotiations, pipeline right-of-way agreement negotiations, and in complex oil and gas litigation.<ref name="O'Farrell Bio"/> O'Farrell also practices toxic torts and environmental litigation, commercial litigation, and professional negligence litigation.<ref name="O'Farrell Bio"/>
==Ohio House of Representatives; 96th District== Josh O'Farrell was chosen by the Ohio House of Representatives Democratic Caucus to replace outgoing Representative Alan Sayre and was sworn into office on June 2, 2010.<ref>{{cite news|last=Baker|first=Jon|title=Josh O'Farrell named to replace Sayre|url=http://www.timesreporter.com/newsnow/x157340720/OFarrell-named-to-replace-Sayre|accessdate=17 July 2012|newspaper=The Times-Reporter|date=1 June 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312004534/http://www.timesreporter.com/newsnow/x157340720/OFarrell-named-to-replace-Sayre|archivedate=12 March 2012}}</ref> O'Farrell adjusted quickly to his new role as a member of the 128th Ohio General Assembly, and spent his first full day as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives in session until 4 a.m. the next day.<ref name="King">{{cite news|last=King|first=Joselyn|title=O'Farrell Takes Over|url=http://www.theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/538962.html?nav=510|accessdate=17 July 2012|newspaper=The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register|date=1 June 2010}}</ref> Within weeks of taking office, O'Farrell responded to severe storms that battered the 96th District; surveying the damage alongside Sugarcreek, Ohio, Fire Chief Jim Harrison.<ref name="King"/>
Representative O'Farrell was an active member of the Ohio House of Representatives; he introduced three bills during his six-month tenure and co-sponsored ten others.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bills sponsored by 'O'Farrell'|url=http://archives.legislature.state.oh.us/bill_sponsor.cfm?SPONSOR=O%27Farrell&HOUSE=HS&SESSION=128&SUBMIT=GO|publisher=Legislative Information System|accessdate=17 July 2012}}</ref> During his tenure, he served on the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, the Financial Institutions, Real Estate, and Securities Committee, the Rules and Reference Committee, and the State Government Committee.
===Bills introduced=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Bill number !! Link !! Description |- | H.B. 601 || [http://archives.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_HB_601 As Introduced] || Deny tax breaks to companies that outsource jobs from the United States. |- | H.B. 604 || [http://archives.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_HB_604 As Introduced] || Assist disabled veterans in obtaining specialty license plates. |- | H.B. 617 || [http://archives.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_HB_617 As Introduced] || Promote job creation in the Ohio Appalachian Region. |}
Representative O'Farrell was the primary sponsor of three unique pieces of legislation during his shortened tenure as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives. With the introduction of H.B. 601, he sought to protect American jobs by amending the Ohio Revised Code to deny tax breaks and other incentives to businesses that outsource jobs outside of the United States.<ref>{{cite web|last=O'Farrell|first=Joshua|title=H. B. No. 601|url=http://archives.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_HB_601|publisher=Legislative Information Systems|accessdate=17 July 2012}}</ref> In H.B. 604, O'Farrell introduced a bill that would remove barriers to disabled Ohio veterans in receiving specialty license plates.<ref>{{cite web|last=O'Farrell|first=Joshua|title=H.B. 604|url=http://archives.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_HB_604|publisher=Legislative Information Systems|accessdate=17 July 2012}}</ref> Finally, with H.B. 617, O'Farrell introduced a bill that would provide tax and economic incentives to support job creation and capital investment in the Ohio Appalachian Region.<ref>{{cite web|last=O'Farrell|first=Joshua|title=H.B. 617|url=http://archives.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_HB_617|publisher=Legislative Information Systems|accessdate=17 July 2012}}</ref>
===Bills co-sponsored=== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Bill number !! Link !! Description |- | Sub. S.B. 162 || [http://archives.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_SB_162 As Enrolled] || Repeals the law governing alternative regulation of telephone companies. |- | Am. Sub. S.B. 232 || [http://archives.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_SB_232 As Enrolled] || Tax incentives for companies that generate electricity from renewable energy resources, clean coal technology, advanced nuclear technology, and cogeneration technology. |- | Sub. S.B. 235 || [http://archives.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_SB_235 As Enrolled] || Crackdown and extended penalties on human trafficking. |- | Am. Sub. H.B. 323 || [http://archives.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_HB_323 As Passed by the House] || Permits the trial of a corporation (in absentia) in a criminal proceeding relative to a residential foreclosure action. |- | H.B. 560 || [http://archives.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_HB_560 As Introduced] || Eliminate late fees for CDL's, motorcycle permits, and driver's licenses. |- | H.B. 571 || [http://archives.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_HB_571 As Introduced] || Protected the Second Amendment rights of Ohioans by allowing those with a concealed carry license (who is an employee of a private employer) to store the employee's handgun in a locked vehicle parked on premises owned or leased by the employer. |- | H.B. 578 || [http://archives.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_HB_578 As Introduced] || Adopt the Transfer of Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act. |- | H.B. 587 || [http://archives.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_HB_587 As Introduced] || Require county recorders to complete continuing education requirements. |- | H.B. 596 || [http://archives.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_HB_596 As Introduced] || Expand the right of an institution of higher education to bring a civil action for damages caused by violations of athletic association or conference regulations. |- | H.B. 606 || [http://archives.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_HB_606 As Introduced] || Allows the surviving spouse of a recipient of the Purple Heart to retain the Ohio Purple Heart license plates. |}
Representative O'Farrell additionally co-sponsored ten pieces of legislation during his time in the Ohio House of Representatives. Highlights from these endeavors include tax incentives for companies that undertake renewable energy solutions, a crackdown on human-trafficking, the protection of Second Amendment rights as it relates to conceal-carry license holders, and the expansion of rights for the families of wounded veterans.<ref>{{cite web|last=Widener, Goodman, Jones, Wagoner|title=S.B. 232|url=http://archives.legislature.state.oh.us/analysis.cfm?ID=128_SB_232&ACT=As%20Enrolled&hf=analyses128/s0232-i-128.htm|publisher=Legislative Service Commission|accessdate=26 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Fedor and Grendell, Cafaro, R. Miller, Schaffer, Jones, Smith, Hughes, Wagoner, Goodman, Strahorn, Sawyer, Widener, Carey, Schuring, Patton, Husted, Morano, Schiavoni, Turner, Wilson, Buehrer, D. Miller, Kearney, Stewart, Gibbs, Niehaus|title=S.B. 235|url=http://archives.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_SB_235|publisher=Legislative Service Commission|accessdate=26 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Uecker|title=H. B. No. 571|url=http://archives.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_HB_571|publisher=Legislative Service Commission|accessdate=26 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Stebelton|title=H. B. No. 606|url=http://archives.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_HB_606|publisher=Legislative Service Commission|accessdate=26 July 2012}}</ref>
===2010 election=== Representative O'Farrell was challenged for his seat in the Ohio House of Representatives in the 2010 General Election by political newcomer Al Landis of Dover, Ohio.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mizer|first=Joe|title=It's all about jobs|url=http://www.timesreporter.com/newsnow/x115379261/It-s-all-about-jobs?zc_p=0|publisher=The Times-Reporter|accessdate=1 August 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130204192359/http://www.timesreporter.com/newsnow/x115379261/It-s-all-about-jobs?zc_p=0|archivedate=4 February 2013}}</ref> O'Farrell's campaign for reelection was carried out in a shortened time-frame, as he was forced to begin campaigning almost immediately after his appointment to the Ohio House of Representatives.<ref name="2010 Election">{{cite web|last=Mizer|first=Joe|title=Landis wins statehouse race|url=http://www.timesreporter.com/newsnow/x360235062/Gibbs-leading-Space-Landis-topping-O-Farrell-in-incomplete-tallies|publisher=The Times-Reporter|accessdate=1 August 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130204083655/http://www.timesreporter.com/newsnow/x360235062/Gibbs-leading-Space-Landis-topping-O-Farrell-in-incomplete-tallies|archivedate=4 February 2013}}</ref> Nevertheless, O'Farrell knocked on over 10,000 doors throughout the district leading up to the election.<ref name="2010 Election" />
{| class="wikitable" |- ! County !! Al Landis !! Josh O'Farrell !! O'Farrell difference |- | || {{Party shading/Republican}} | Republican || {{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democrat || -- |- | Belmont || 5,822 || 5,200 || -622 |- | Harrison || 2,604 || 2,998 || 394 |- | Tuscarawas || 12,407 || 11,788 || -619 |- | '''Total''' || '''20,833''' || '''19,986''' || '''-847''' |- | '''Percentage of votes''' || '''51.04%''' || '''48.96%''' || '''-2.08%''' |}
The November 2, 2010, general election saw O'Farrell narrowly defeated by Landis.<ref name="2010 Election" />
==Ohio House of Representatives; 98th District==
===Announcement===
===Campaign=== <gallery> File:O'Farrell Campaign 2012 4.jpg|O'Farrell and volunteers at the New Philadelphia, Ohio First Town Days Parade. File:O'Farrell Campaign 2012 1.jpg|O'Farrell greets parade attendees in front of the Tuscarawas County Courthouse. File:O'Farrell Campaign 2012 2.jpg|O'Farrell (left) speaks with a supporter. File:O'Farrell Campaign 2012 3.jpg|O'Farrell speaks with firefighters along a parade route. File:O'Farrell Campaign 2012 5.jpg|O'Farrell greets individuals while campaigning. </gallery>
===2012 Election===
====Primary results==== Josh O'Farrell was unopposed in his bid for the Democratic Nomination for the 98th District of the Ohio House of Representatives.
{| class="sortable wikitable" ! Candidate ! Party ! Notes ! Votes ! Percentage |- |Joshua O'Farrell |{{Party shading/Democratic}} | Democratic |Unopposed |2,682 |100.00% |- |}
====General Election====
==Charitable Work & Philanthropy== thumb|Josh O'Farrell (in green) instructing runners at the O'Farrell Family Hug Foundation's "Run for Shoes" event. In early 2011, O'Farrell and his wife Christin founded the O'Farrell Family Hug Foundation. The nonprofit organization was established to provide charitable support to families within Tuscarawas County and the surrounding areas.<ref name="Family Hug Formation">{{cite web|last=Times-Reporter.com Staff Report|title=O'Farrells form foundation to aid area families|publisher=The Times-Reporter}}</ref> The Foundation's goal is strengthen the local community by focusing on meeting the basic needs of children and families.<ref name="Run for Shoes Announcement'">{{cite web|last=Times-Reporter.com Staff Report|title='Run for Shoes' event in Bolivar on May 19|url=http://www.timesreporter.com/newsnow/x1942563551/Run-for-Shoes-event-in-Bolivar-on-May-19|publisher=The Times-Reporter|accessdate=16 July 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120506221503/http://www.timesreporter.com/newsnow/x1942563551/Run-for-Shoes-event-in-Bolivar-on-May-19|archivedate=6 May 2012}}</ref> The O'Farrell's organize and host numerous events and fundraisers annually to support and further the Foundation's mission.<ref name="Family Hug Formation"/>
On May 19, 2012, the Foundation held their 2nd Annual "Run for Shoes" event at Fort Laurens near Bolivar, Ohio. The event, which consisted of a 5K/1 Mile Walk/Children's "Fun Run," was deemed as extremely successful{{citation needed|date=June 2018}} and helped raise the funds necessary to provide over 200 pairs of shoes to local children. The 2012 event marked an increase of the 125 pairs that were raised in the initial event a year prior. On June 30, 2012, a total of 136 of these shoes were distributed by Josh & Christin O'Farrell to families in need with the remainder of the raised funds being carried over to next year's event.<ref>{{cite web|last=TimesReporter.com Staff Report|title=O'Farrell Family Hug Foundation distributes 136 pairs of shoes|url=http://www.timesreporter.com/newsnow/x1446675848/O-Farrell-Family-Hug-Foundation-distributes-136-pairs-of-shoes|publisher=The Times-Reporter|accessdate=16 July 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130204091357/http://www.timesreporter.com/newsnow/x1446675848/O-Farrell-Family-Hug-Foundation-distributes-136-pairs-of-shoes|archivedate=4 February 2013}}</ref>
In 2011, the Foundation partnered with Adventure Harley-Davidson of Dover, Ohio to provide over 100 families with a Thanksgiving Day meal.<ref name="Valentini">{{cite web|last=Valentini|first=Kyle|title=O'Farrell Family Hug Foundation provides 136 kids with new shoes|url=http://www.tuscbargainhunter.com/article/20120702/FEATURES/707029957/-1/tbh|publisher=The Bargain Hunter|accessdate=16 July 2012}}</ref>
<gallery> File:O'Farrell Charity 1.jpg|O'Farrell preparing shoes to be distributed to children in need. File:O'Farrell Charity 2.jpg|O'Farrell and wife Christin making final preparations for the O'Farrell Family Hug Foundation's 2012 shoe distribution event. </gallery>
==Personal life== O'Farrell currently resides in New Philadelphia, Ohio with his wife Christin and their young sons Liam & Jameson. The family attends services at NewPointe Community Church in Dover, Ohio. He is the son of Tuscarawas County Common Pleas Court Judge Edward O'Farrell.<ref>{{cite news | first = Joselyn | last = King | title = O'Farrell To Fill 96th House Seat | date = 2010-05-30 | url = http://www.theintelligencer.net/page/content.detail/id/538242/O-Farrell-To-Fill-96th-House-Seat.html | work = The Intelligenter | accessdate = 2011-08-22}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20120331021748/http://www.ofarrellforohio.com/?nav=homepage O'Farrell for Ohio] ''Official Campaign Site'' *[http://www.facebook.com/ofarrellforohio O'Farrell for Ohio] ''Official Campaign Facebook Page'' *[http://www.facebook.com/josh.ofarrell.1 Josh O'Farrell] ''Personal Facebook Page''
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ofarrell, Joshua}} Category:Members of the Ohio House of Representatives Category:Living people Category:1981 births Category:People from New Philadelphia, Ohio Category:Wake Forest University School of Law alumni Category:21st-century members of the Ohio General Assembly