Gillmor seeks post on industrial panel

Ohio State Senator Karen L. Gillmor

COLUMBUS -- Sen. Karen Gillmor's return to the Ohio Senate may be short-lived.

With more than a year left in her four-year term, the senator has applied for a seat on the Ohio Industrial Commission that hears workers' compensation appeals. A 12-member nominating council will meet Friday to decide whether her name should be among those submitted for Gov. John Kasich's consideration.

Ms. Gillmor (R., Tiffin) said she was approached by the Kasich administration about the post.

She dismissed the suggestion that she wants to make the move out of fear she couldn't be re-elected next year because of her vote in March for Senate Bill 5.

"The supposition that a vote on Senate Bill 5 would chase anyone from office is ridiculous," she said.

To make the list, Ms. Gillmor will need some help from the commission's labor contingent.

"To get a name to the governor requires a super-majority, three-fourths of members," said Mike Travis, chief ombuds officer, an independent problem-solver for the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation and industrial commission.

The 12-member commission consists of five representatives of labor and workers, five representatives of employers and business, and two representatives of the general public.

As of Thursday, Sen. Gillmor was one of just three applicants for the seat representing the general public that is currently occupied by Kevin R. Abrams. He is seeking a second term.

The third person is Krista Deegan, a former executive director of the commission.

Contact Jim Provance at: jprovance@theblade.com, or 614-221-0496.