Democrat quitting House for California
Columbus-area state Rep. Heather Bishoff is stepping down from the Ohio House, effective immediately, and is preparing to head west.
The Blacklick Democrat was in her third term in the House representing the 20th House District, which includes Whitehall, Groveport, Canal Winchester, Obetz and Hamilton Township.
Bishoff said she and her husband, who together run the Bishoff Financial Group, decided to begin transitioning to a move to the San Diego area, where they and their other children will be close to her oldest son, who is a Marine recruit stationed in the area.
As they’ve done financial planning, Bishoff said, she has seen clients who worked to build up a nest egg, only to die before they really got to use it.
“My husband and I always wanted to retire to someplace warm,” she said. “We decided, why are we waiting until 65 to make some kind of transition?”
Bishoff, 43, said she and her husband will continue to operate a financial planning office in California.
The House Democratic Caucus will announce a screening panel in the coming weeks to select a replacement for Bishoff, who in 2016 won what was the closest House race in the state, beating Republican Lisa Schacht by 6.6 points.
Some had mentioned Bishoff as a potential candidate for the 3rd Senate District race in 2018, an open seat now represented by termlimited Sen. Kevin Bacon, R-Minerva Park. The expectation was that Bishoff would face Rep. Anne Gonzales, R-Westerville.
“My district has been wonderful and they deserve all the attention someone can offer,” Bishoff said.
Elected in 2012, Bishoff, an Army Reserve veteran, was a member of the GahannaJefferson Board of Education.