Mike was born in Cleveland and lives in Berea. He earned his bachelor's degree in economics and political science from Baldwin Wallace University, his master's degree in international management from American University, his master's degree in national security and strategic studies from the US Naval War College, and his doctorate degree in education policy, organization, and leadership from the University of Ilinois. He is a scripture reader at his church.

Mike is a Navy Reserve officer and has served as a senior-level presidential appointee at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, a principal advisor to former U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich, and a Presidential Management Fellow at the U.S. Department of State. He founded and led two small businesses, The Dovilla Group and The Grindstone Institute, and served as the first president and CEO of the USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation.

Mike Dovilla served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 2011 to 2016, where he was elected majority whip during his 3rd term and chaired 2 standing committees.

Candidate website

As a state representative, established TourismOhio to promote travel and tourism, which employs over 500,000 people in Ohio.

As a state representative, established TourismOhio to promote travel and tourism.

As a state representative, authored the “Welcome to Ohio” law, which eliminates the driving test requirement for new or returning Ohio residents with a valid out-of-state driver’s license.

As a state representative, established an Ohio economic gardening pilot program to support growth strategies for Ohio-based tier 2 companies.

Established an Ohio economic gardening pilot program to support growth strategies for Ohio-based tier 2 companies.

Believes government should be accountable for every tax dollar spent.

Believes all Ohioans who want to work deserve the opportunity to find a good paying job.

As a state representative, established the Common Sense Initiative (CSI) to prevent "burdensome government regulations" on Ohio businesses.

- As a state representative, established TourismOhio to promote travel and tourism.
- As a state representative, authored the “Welcome to Ohio” law, which eliminates the driving test requirement for new or returning Ohio residents with a valid out-of-state driver’s license.
- Established an Ohio economic gardening pilot program to support growth strategies for Ohio-based tier 2 companies.
- Believes government should be accountable for every tax dollar spent.
- Supports private sector job creation.
- Believes all Ohioans who want to work deserve the opportunity to find a good paying job.
- As a state representative, established the Common Sense Initiative (CSI) to prevent "burdensome government regulations" on Ohio businesses.

Economy

As of August 22, 2024, Mike Dovilla’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Safety

Healthcare

Supports school choice and parental involvement in their children's education.

Believes aligning classroom values with home values and encouraging parental engagement in education reform gives children the best chance for success.

Believes in improving oversight, transparency, and accountability in Ohio’s charter schools.

As a state representative, supported a bill to reform charter schools to increase oversight, transparency, and accountability.  

As a state representative, authored a fiscal transparency provision requiring public school districts to report annually on expenditures used for classroom instruction versus administrative overhead.

As a state representative, authored legislation requiring public school districts to report annually on expenditures used for classroom instruction versus administrative overhead.

- Supports school choice and parental involvement in their children's education.
- Believes aligning classroom values with home values and encouraging parental engagement in education reform gives children the best chance for success.
- As a state representative, supported a bill to reform charter schools to increase oversight, transparency, and accountability.  
- As a state representative, authored legislation requiring public school districts to report annually on expenditures used for classroom instruction versus administrative overhead.

Education

As a state representative, authored resolutions encouraging federal approval of the TransCanada Keystone XL Pipeline, citing potential job support for American and Ohio manufacturing, construction, and maritime sectors.

As a state representative, authored resolutions encouraging federal approval of the TransCanada Keystone XL Pipeline.

- As a state representative, authored resolutions encouraging federal approval of the TransCanada Keystone XL Pipeline.

Energy & the Environment

Promises to run a "transparent, accessible, and responsive office" that represents the best interests of local residents.

- Promises to run a "transparent, accessible, and responsive office" that represents the best interests of local residents.

Voting & Elections

Twitter

Facebook

Mike Dovilla

Mike was born in Cleveland and resides in Berea. He is a scripture reader at his church.

As a state representative, enacted enhanced tax deductions for capital investments to support Ohio businesses in staying and expanding in Ohio, leading to job creation and economic development.

Authored the “Welcome to Ohio” law, which eliminates the driving test requirement for new or returning Ohio residents with a valid out-of-state driver’s license.

- As a state representative, established TourismOhio to promote travel and tourism.
- Authored the “Welcome to Ohio” law, which eliminates the driving test requirement for new or returning Ohio residents with a valid out-of-state driver’s license.
- Established an Ohio economic gardening pilot program to support growth strategies for Ohio-based tier 2 companies.
- Believes government should be accountable for every tax dollar spent.
- Supports private sector job creation.
- Believes all Ohioans who want to work deserve the opportunity to find a good paying job.

Introduced anti-corruption provisions to restore public trust by stripping pensions from felons convicted of state-level extortion and perjury and equivalent federal crimes.

Received the Outstanding Leadership Award from the Consortium Against Adult Abuse (C3A) in 2012.

Received the Meritorious Honor Award from the U.S. Department of State in 2001.

Supports strong military and intelligence operations to ensure national security, as demonstrated by his service in the U.S. Navy Reserve and roles in Operation Iraqi Freedom and supporting U.S. Forces in Japan.

Believes ethical scandals, unfulfilled promises, and bureaucratic inefficiencies have led to a loss of trust in politicians from both parties.

Believes in reforming charter schools to improve oversight, transparency, and accountability.

As a state representative, authored a fiscal transparency provision requiring public school districts to report annually the percentage of expenditures used to support classroom instruction versus administrative overhead.

Plans to improve educational options at all levels for Ohioans.

Believes in the importance of education and lifelong learning, holding multiple advanced degrees and teaching experience as adjunct faculty.

Supports high-quality education and local control of schools.

- Supports school choice and parental involvement in their children's education.
- Believes aligning classroom values with home values and encouraging parental engagement in education reform gives children the best chance for success.

As a state representative, initiated the “Open Ohio” financial transparency initiative to require the Ohio government to maintain an online database of state agencies’ expenditures.

As chairman of the House Government Policy and Legislative Oversight Committee, led efforts to enhance state government accountability, efficiency, and effectiveness.

As a state representative, initiated performance audits for state agencies to ensure efficient and effective government operations.

Recognized with the Robert E. Hughes Memorial Award by the Ohio Association of Election Officials in 2014.

Mike Dovilla is a Navy Reserve officer and has served as a senior-level presidential appointee at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, a principal advisor to former U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich, and a Presidential Management Fellow at the U.S. Department of State. He founded and led two small businesses, The Dovilla Group and The Grindstone Institute, and served as the first president and CEO of the USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation. He also served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 2011 to 2016.

Mike Dovilla served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 2011 to 2016, where he was elected Majority Whip during his third term and chaired two standing committees.

- As a state representative, established TourismOhio to promote travel and tourism.
- As a state representative, authored the “Welcome to Ohio” law, which eliminates the driving test requirement for new or returning Ohio residents with a valid out-of-state driver’s license.
- As a state representative, established an Ohio economic gardening pilot program to support growth strategies for Ohio-based tier 2 companies.
- Believes government should be accountable for every tax dollar spent.
- Supports private sector job creation.
- Believes all Ohioans who want to work deserve the opportunity to find a good paying job.

- Supports school choice and parental involvement in their children's education.
- Believes aligning classroom values with home values and encouraging parental engagement in education reform gives children the best chance for success.
- Supports high-quality education and local control of schools.

- Your State Representative participates in the legislative process at the state level. They are one of 99 members of the Ohio House of Representatives. The Ohio House of Representatives is the lower house of the Ohio General Assembly (the state's lawmaking body).
- Your State Representative drafts laws, approves budgets, has oversight of the state executive branch, and debates and votes on proposed laws.
- In addition to drafting and voting on bills, your State Representative can serve on committees. This is important because many bills can be stalled in committee, preventing them making it to a vote.
- Your State Representative is responsible for representing your interests. They also are responsible for helping you navigate the state's services and bringing back resources to your district.
- State Representatives are elected to a 2-year term. There is a limit of 4 successive terms. 