Name: Incumbent Tom Sawyer

Age: 66

Political affiliation: Democrat

Resides in: Akron

Family: Wife, Joyce; daughter, Amanda

Education: Bachelor of Arts, University of Akron, 1968; Master of Arts, University of Akron, 1970

Previous political experience: In 2006, Sawyer was elected to the Ohio State Board of Education, District #7. In February of 2007, Sawyer was elected by members of the Ohio Senate Democratic caucus to fill the Ohio State Senate seat of Kimberly Zurz.

Political or community activities: Sawyer is a member of the standing committees of Education (as ranking member); Energy and Public Utilities; Finance; and Insurance, Commerce and Labor. He is also a member of the Controlling Board; the Legislative Service Commission; the Power Siting Board; the Ohio Accountability Task Force; and the Ohio School Facilities Commission

Campaign website: ohiosenate.gov

*Robert Roush, the Cuyahoga Falls Republican contender, couldn't be reached for Patch’s Ohio Senate election profiles.