CINCINNATI — Gay rights icon Jim Obergefell, the lead plaintiff in the landmark 2015 case that legalized same-sex marriage across the country, is running for a seat at Ohio House, sources close to him say. .
He is due to hold an online press conference on Tuesday morning.
Obergefell, a Democrat, returned to his hometown of Sandusky in 2021, placing it in the 89th House District, held by Republican DJ Swearingen.
Given his national profile, Obergefell would be well placed to attract attention and raise significant funds for his campaign.
Obergefell sues for same-sex marriage
In July 2013 Obergefell married John Arthur, who was seriously ill. Because Ohio at the time didn’t allow same-sex unions, the couple flew from their Cincinnati home to Maryland to exchange vows.
Arthur died three months later, and Obergefell sued to be listed on the death certificate as Arthur’s husband. This case was one of several involving dozens of plaintiffs litigated together, but Obergefell was the lead plaintiff, meaning the case was named after him.
Following the 5-4 decision, Obergefell was given rock star status in LGBTQ communities.
Related:Ohio LGBTQ advocates push for non-discrimination law, but say divisive politics stand in the way
The US Census Bureau reports that nationally there are 568,000 same-sex married couples, including 31,500 in Ohio.
If Obergefell wins the seat, he would be one of the few openly gay politicians to serve in the Ohio General Assembly.
Obergefell is a former teacher, software consultant, realtor, and longtime resident of Cincinnati. He is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati and holds a master’s degree from Bowling Green State University. Although he has lived most of his adult life in Cincinnati, in recent years he has returned to his hometown of Sandusky to be closer to his family.
Laura Bischoff is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliate news organizations in Ohio.
