Richard Hodges (American politician)

For the English politician, see Richard Hodges (MP).
Richard A. Hodges
Director of the Ohio Department of Health
In office
August 11, 2014 – March 31, 2017
GovernorJohn Kasich
Preceded byTed Wymyslo
Succeeded byLance Himes
Executive Director of the Ohio Turnpike Commission
In office
November 7, 2011 – August 10, 2014
GovernorJohn Kasich
Preceded byGeorge Distel
Succeeded byRandy Cole
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the 82nd district
In office
January 3, 1993 – January 3, 1999
Preceded byLarry Manahan
Succeeded bySteve Buehrer
Personal details
Born (1963-10-12) October 12, 1963 (age 61)
Sidney, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyRepublican

Richard A. Hodges (born October 12, 1963) is an American politician who served as Director of the Ohio Department of Health from August 2014 to 2017. He is a former member of the Ohio House of Representatives, serving from 1993 to 1999.[1]

He is most known for being the titular defendant in the landmark civil rights case Obergefell v. Hodges, which he lost, resulting in the legalization of same-sex marriage everywhere in the United States. After resigning his post in 2017,[2] he became an outspoken supporter of LGBT rights and has become friends with his legal opponent, Jim Obergefell.[3]

  1. ^ Patch, David (2011-11-03). "Ex-lawmaker from Delta to lead Ohio Turnpike: Board hires Hodges as executive director". The Toledo Blade. Toledo, Ohio. Retrieved 2015-06-29.
  2. ^ "Ohio Health Department Chief Rick Hodges Resigns". 20 March 2017. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
  3. ^ Vitale, Bob (November 1, 2019). "Obergefell and Hodges: The Accidental Opponents". Columbus Monthly. Archived from the original on November 3, 2019. Retrieved 18 July 2020.