Kenny Yuko

Kenny Yuko (born August 1, 1950) is an American politician and union activist who served as a member of the Ohio Senate, representing the 25th District. Previously, he was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, representing the 7th District from 2005 to 2012. Yuko was a political and union activist for more than two decades.

Kenny Yuko
Minority Leader of the Ohio Senate
In office
April 26, 2017 – December 31, 2022
Preceded byJoe Schiavoni
Succeeded byNickie Antonio
Member of the Ohio Senate
from the 25th district
In office
January 6, 2015 – December 31, 2022
Preceded byNina Turner
Succeeded byBill DeMora
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the 7th district
In office
January 3, 2005 – December 31, 2012
Preceded byEd Jerse
Succeeded byConstituency abolished
Personal details
Born (1950-08-01) August 1, 1950
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationCuyahoga Community College
Kent State University

Early life and education

Yuko grew up in Euclid, Ohio and graduated from Brush High School. He attended Cuyahoga Community College and Kent State University.

Career
Yuko with supporters marching in the 2010 Euclid Labor Day Parade

Yuko began his career as a buyer for Polsky's Department Store, and went on to the Laborers’ Local #860 for 30 years, including 25 years as union organizer. He retired from that service in 2004.

Yuko first ran for the Ohio House of Representatives in 2004 to replace four-term incumbent Ed Jerse, who was unable to seek re-election due to term limits. In the 2004 primary, he defeated Kent Smith.[1] He won reelection in 2006, 2008, and 2010. Yuko served as Chairman of the Commerce and Labor Committee for the 128th General Assembly.

Yuko expressed interest in an appointment to the Ohio Senate after incumbent Lance Mason resigned to take a judicial position. Ultimately, the appointment went to Cleveland City Councilwoman Nina Turner.

When he was sworn into his fourth term on January 3, 2011, Yuko served as the ranking member of the Commerce and Labor Committee, as well as a member of the Health and Aging Committee, and the Veterans Affairs Committee. He was also a member of the Unemployment Compensation Advisory Council; the Permanent Joint Committee on Gaming and Wagering; and the Joint Committee on Bingo and Skill Based Gaming.

Yuko was a staunch opponent of S.B. 5 and looked to lead the cause of a referendum that would repeal the changes the bill would make upon passage.[2] He believed the then current act trampled the rights of workers.[3]

Yuko served the 25th senatorial district which included the cities of Beachwood, Bedford, Bedford Heights, Cleveland (partial), East Cleveland, Eastlake, Euclid, Maple Heights, Mayfield Heights, Mentor (partial), Mentor-on-the-Lake, Painesville, Pepper Pike, Richmond Heights, South Euclid, Warrensville Heights, Wickliffe, Willoughby, and Willowick; along with the villages of Fairport Harbor, Grand River, Highland Hills, Lakeline, North Randall, Orange, Timberlake, and Woodmere; as well as parts of Painesville Township.[4]

Personal life

Yuko resides in Richmond Heights, Ohio, with his wife, Pam. They have two children: Angela and the late Kenneth ("Rocky").[5]

References
  1. Blackwell, Kenneth 2004 general election results (2004-11-02)
  2. Provance, Jim (2011-03-29). "Organized labor set for final showdown". Toledo Blade. Retrieved 2011-03-30.
  3. Siegel, Jim; Joe Hardon (2011-03-31). "Assembly sends SB 5 to Kasich". Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on 2011-05-10. Retrieved 2011-04-01.
  4. "Overview of State Senate District 25, Ohio". Statistical Atlas. San Francisco: Cedar Lake Ventures, Inc. Retrieved July 15, 2017.
  5. "Kenneth A. "Rocky" Yuko". Cleveland.com. The Plain Dealer. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
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