Bob Latta

For other people of the same name, see Robert Latta.

Bob Latta
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio's 5th district
Incumbent
Assumed office December 11, 2007
Preceded by	Paul Gillmor
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 6th district
In office January 3, 2001 – December 10, 2007
Preceded by	Randy Gardner
Succeeded by	Randy Gardner
Member of the Ohio Senate from the 2nd district
In office January 3, 1997 – December 31, 2000
Preceded by	Steve Yarbrough
Succeeded by	Randy Gardner
Personal details
Born	(1956-04-18) April 18, 1956 Bluffton, Ohio
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Marcia Latta
Residence	Bowling Green, Ohio
Alma mater	Bowling Green State University, University of Toledo College of Law
Occupation	attorney, politician
Religion	Roman Catholic

Robert Edward 'Bob' Latta (born April 18, 1956) is the U.S. Representative for Ohio's 5th congressional district, serving since 2007. He is a member of the Republican Party. The district includes most of Toledo's suburbs including Bowling Green and Perrysburg. It also includes Findlay. He was also the sponsor of the controversial H.R. 4752 bill, which would overturn regulations intended to ensure net neutrality.

Early life, education and career

Born in Bluffton, Ohio, Latta earned his B.A. at Bowling Green State University in 1978 and his J.D. at the University of Toledo College of Law in 1981. His father, Del Latta, represented the 5th from 1959 to 1989 and served as ranking Republican on the House Budget Committee from 1975 to his retirement.

Latta worked as a private practice attorney before entering politics.

Ohio political career

Latta served as a Wood County Commissioner from 1991 to 1997. He then represented the 2nd senate district in the Ohio Senate from 1997 to 2001 and the 6th house district in the Ohio House of Representatives from 2001 to 2007.

U.S. House of Representatives

Committee assignments

• Committee on Energy and Commerce
  • Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
  • Subcommittee on Environment and Economy
  • Subcommittee on Energy and Power

Caucus Memberships

• Congressional Propane Caucus (Co-Chair)
• Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus (Co-Chair)
• Congressional French Caucus (Co-Chair)
• Congressional Natural Gas Caucus

Legislation sponsored

Latta introduced the Sportsmen’s Heritage And Recreational Enhancement Act of 2013 (H.R. 3590; 113th Congress) into the United States House of Representatives on November 21, 2013. The bill is an omnibus bill that covers several firearms, fishing, hunting, and federal land laws. The bill passed the House on February 5, 2014.

On July 22, 2014, Latta introduced the E-LABEL Act (H.R. 5161; 113th Congress), a bill that would direct the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to allow manufacturers of electronic devices with a screen to display information required by the agency digitally on the screen rather than on a label affixed to the device. Latta argued that e-labeling would "give greater flexibility to design consumer products" and that "by some estimates e-labeling will save manufactures over $80 million a year."

Political campaigns

1988

When Del Latta decided to retire from Congress in 1988, Bob Latta ran in the Republican primary. However, he lost by twenty-seven votes to then Ohio State Senate president Paul Gillmor, who went on to win the general election.

2007

After Gillmor's sudden death in September 2007, Latta decided to run again for the open seat. He defeated state senator Steve Buehrer, among other candidates, in the November primary. He benefited not only from his name recognition, but because Wood County, home to Bowling Green, is the largest whole county in the sprawling district.

In the special general election, Latta defeated Democratic candidate Robin Weirauch on December 11, 2007 by a margin of 57% to 43%. He was sworn in on December 13, 2007.

2010

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio, 2010 § District 5*

Latta faced Democratic nominee Caleb Finkenbiner and Libertarian nominee Brian L. Smith in the general election, he won the election.

2012

Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio, 2012 § District 5

Latta was re-elected in 2012. He beat Democratic nominee, Angela Zimmann and Libertarian nominee, Eric Eberly. He was endorsed by the United States Chamber of Commerce, the NFIB, the NRA and National Right to Life.

Personal life

Congressman Latta is an avid sportsmen and lifelong resident of Northwest Ohio. He and his wife Marcia live in Bowling Green with their two daughters, Elizabeth and Maria. He is the son of former congressman Del Latta, who served in the seat he currently holds in Congress from 1959-89.

Electoral history

Election results
Year	Office	Election		Subject	Party	Votes	%		Opponent	Party	Votes	%		Opponent	Party	Votes	%
1996	Ohio Senate	General		Bob Latta	Republican	77,796	54.8%		Chris Redfern	Democratic	64,279	45.2%
2000	Ohio House of Representatives	General		Bob Latta	Republican	31,461	64.6%		Dean Clarke	Democratic	15,731	32.3%		Milton Mann	Libertarian	1,483	3.0%
2002	Ohio House of Representatives	General		Bob Latta	Republican	25,493	68.1%		Scott McCarty	Democratic	11,932	31.9%
2004	Ohio House of Representatives	General		Bob Latta	Republican	36,625	62.5%		Scott McCarty	Democratic	21,971	37.5%
2006	Ohio House of Representatives	General		Bob Latta	Republican	25,494	56.9%		Jeffrey Bretz	Democratic	19,346	43.1%
2007	U.S. House of Representatives	Special General		Bob Latta	Republican	56,114	57.0%		Robin Weirauch	Democratic	42,229	42.9%		John Green	Write-in	167	0.17%
2008	U.S. House of Representatives	General		Bob Latta	Republican	188,905	64.1%		George Mays	Democratic	105,840	35.9%
2010	U.S. House of Representatives	General		Bob Latta	Republican	140,703	67.8%		Caleb Finkenbiner	Democratic	54,919	26.5%		Brian Smith	Libertarian	11,831	5.7%
2012	U.S. House of Representatives	General		Bob Latta	Republican	201,514	57.3%		Angela Zimmann	Democratic	137,806	39.2%		Eric Eberly	Libertarian	12,558	3.6%

External links

• Congressman Bob Latta official U.S. House site
• Bob Latta for Congress
• Bob Latta at DMOZ
• Appearances on C-SPAN
• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Profile at Project Vote Smart
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Legislation sponsored at The Library of Congress