Mike Dovilla

Mike Dovilla was born in Cleveland, Ohio. As of 2026, Dovilla had served in the U.S. Navy Reserve since 2002. He earned a high school diploma from Berea High School, a B.A. in political science and economics from Baldwin-Wallace College, and an M.P.A. from American University. Dovilla also earned a graduate degree from the U.S. Naval War College in 2023.[1][2]

Dovilla's professional experience includes being an appointee at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, a senior advisor to former U.S. Senator George Voinovich, a Presidential Management Fellow at the U.S. Department of State, an adjunct professor at Baldwin Wallace University and the owner and manager of a consulting firm called The Dovilla Group.[1][3]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Mike Dovilla represents the 17th Ohio House District, serving as Vice Chairman of the House Finance Committee and a member of the Energy, Veterans and Military Development, and Workforce and Higher Education Committees. Dovilla represented much of the same district from 2011 to 2016, serving as Majority Whip and chair of multiple committees. Returning to the Legislature in 2025, he is continuing his policy work on the state budget and government reform initiatives. Dovilla previously served as CEO of the USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation, chief of staff at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, principal of The Dovilla Group, and advisor to Sen. George Voinovich. A commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, Dovilla commissioned in 2002 and has twice been mobilized to active duty, including in Baghdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He holds a B.A. from Baldwin Wallace University, M.P.A. from American University, M.A. from the U.S. Naval War College, and Ed.D. from the University of Illinois.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

CREATING JOBS AND IMPROVING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. Mike Dovilla believes all Ohioans who want to work deserve the opportunity to find a good paying job. He knows the meaning of hard work and personal responsibility. Mike paid his own way through college in Berea by working in restaurants and later putting in 14 hour days with the U.S. Navy in Iraq. He also understands the realities of running a small business in northeast Ohio, having founded and led two successful companies over the past 20 years. Now, Mike represents us in Columbus, continuing his work to encourage economic development and support private sector job creation.RENEWING OUR COMMITMENT TO WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION. Mike Dovilla is a leader in the fight for high-quality education. As a product of Berea’s public schools and a first-generation college graduate, Mike understands the transformational impact of education. He is a vocal advocate for local control who represented more than 70 suburban public school districts as a governmental relations professional. He thinks education is most effective when parents play an integral role in their children’s individual learning experiences. Mike believes that when the values of our classrooms reflect the values of our homes – and when parents are engaged in education reform – we give our children the best chance for success.REFORMING STATE GOVERNMENT TO WORK FOR THE PEOPLE. In recent years, Ohioans have lost trust in politicians from both parties in Columbus and Washington. Ethical scandals, unfulfilled campaign promises, and bureaucracies that duplicate effort and waste taxpayer dollars have caused many to lose faith in their government and elected officials. Mike Dovilla takes seriously the role of public servant and believes government should be accountable for every tax dollar spent. A principled leader and independent thinker, Mike runs a transparent, accessible, and responsive office that works tirelessly to represent the best interests of the residents of Berea, Broadview Heights, North Royalton, Olmsted Falls, Olmsted Township, and Strongsville.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Mike's legislative work is focused on five key areas: spurring economic development, strengthening education, protecting senior citizens, supporting veterans, and improving government accountability.

He is particularly passionate about civic education. Since last serving in the Legislature (2011-2016), he invested substantial personal time to earn a doctorate in education with a concentration in learning design and leadership. His dissertation examined methods to enhance civic readiness at the high school level. As our district's voice once again at the Statehouse, Mike is leveraging his research and experience to continue improving educational options at all levels for Ohioans.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Current as of March 20, 2026. Please visit website for up-to-date list.

- Ohio Republican Party

- Ohio Value Voters

- Sheet Metal Workers Local 33

- Berea Mayor Cyril Kleem

- Cuyahoga Heights Mayor Jack Bacci

- North Royalton Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz

- Strongsville Mayor Thomas P. Perciak

- Berea Former City Councilman at Large Rich Skoczen

- Broadview Heights Councilman at Large Joe Price

- Broadview Heights Councilman (Ward 1) Thomas Pavlica

- Olmsted Falls City Council President Garry Thompson

- Olmsted Township Trustee Thomas J. Cole

- Strongsville Councilman at Large Anthony Zacharyasz, Jr.

- Strongsville Councilman (Ward 1) Jim Kaminski

- Strongsville Councilman (Ward 3) Thomas M. Clark

- Strongsville Councilman (Ward 4) Gordon Short

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Mike Dovilla is a Navy veteran, nonprofit executive, and small business owner. As our state representative (2011-2016), Mike successfully reduced taxes and burdensome regulations, reformed education, and improved government transparency. He authored innovative measures to create an online checkbook of state government expenditures, address Ohio’s cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and increase penalties for corrupt public officials. During his final term, he was elected House Majority Whip. Mike is a commander in the Navy Reserve with almost 22 years of commissioned service. He has twice been mobilized to active duty, is a combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and has served as a reserve unit commanding officer. Mike was appointed by President Trump and President Bush as a senior-level appointee at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and worked previously as an advisor to Sen. George Voinovich. He has founded and led two successful small businesses and now is chief executive officer of the USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation, a civic nonprofit. Mike holds an EdD from the University of Illinois, MA in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College, MPA from American University, and BA from Baldwin Wallace University, where he later taught as adjunct faculty. An active community volunteer, he is a scripture reader at his church, Berea Civil Service Commission member, and Northeast Ohio Classical Academy board member. He lives in his hometown of Berea.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Improving Ohio’s business climate by further reducing taxes and eliminating burdensome regulationsPromoting access to high quality education while protecting parental choice in the safety and instruction of their childrenHolding government accountable by increasing transparency and reducing bureaucracy

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education; economic development; government accountability; veterans

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I recall the 1980 election during which Ronald Reagan was elected our 40th president. Although I was only five years old, I felt an early calling to serve others in some capacity and was inspired by President Reagan's leadership during my years growing up in Berea. Since then, I have had the privilege of serving our community, state, and nation in a variety of public, military, private, and nonprofit capacities.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

A1S4 Protection PAC; Americans for Prosperity – Ohio; Buckeye Firearms Association; Cuyahoga Valley Republicans; Ohio Advocates for Medical Freedom; Ohio Right to Life; Ohio Value Voters; Republican Party of Cuyahoga County; Strongsville GOP; Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague

What committees interest you?

Finance; Government Oversight; Armed Services and Veterans Affairs

Dovilla's website highlighted the following campaign themes:[13]

Creating Jobs and Restoring a Healthier Economy

Excerpt: "Mike Dovilla believes all Ohioans who want to work deserve the opportunity to find a good paying job."

Renewing Our Commitment to World-Class Education

Excerpt: "He is a vocal advocate for local control, a hallmark of Ohio’s system of public education, and a legislative leader in the fight to empower parents, teachers, and principals. Dovilla believes that when the values of our classrooms reflect the values of our homes – and when parents are engaged in education reform – we give our children the best chance for success."

Reforming State Government to Work for the People

Excerpt: "Getting government out of the way and allowing Ohio’s job creators to operate in a friendlier business climate is a priority on which Mike Dovilla will remain focused."

Protecting Senior Citizens

Excerpt: "Mike Dovilla is aware of how vulnerable our senior citizens can be. That’s why he has taken steps during his time in the legislature to address the unfortunate incidents of elder abuse, shining a spotlight on this matter so we can begin to address it."

Advocating for Veterans

Excerpt: "Mike Dovilla is a vocal advocate in the legislature for Ohio’s military personnel and veterans."