Richard Hodges (American politician)
Richard A. Hodges | |
|---|---|
| Director of the Ohio Department of Health | |
| In office August 11, 2014 – March 31, 2017 | |
| Governor | John Kasich |
| Preceded by | Ted Wymyslo |
| Succeeded by | Lance Himes |
| Executive Director of the Ohio Turnpike Commission | |
| In office November 7, 2011 – August 10, 2014 | |
| Governor | John Kasich |
| Preceded by | George Distel |
| Succeeded by | Randy Cole |
| Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 82nd district | |
| In office January 3, 1993 – January 3, 1999 | |
| Preceded by | Larry Manahan |
| Succeeded by | Steve Buehrer |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 12, 1963 Sidney, Ohio, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
Richard A. Hodges (born October 12, 1963) is an American politician who served as Director of the Ohio Department of Health from August 2014 to 2017. He is a former member of the Ohio House of Representatives, serving from 1993 to 1999.
He is most known for being the titular defendant in the landmark civil rights case Obergefell v. Hodges, which he lost, resulting in the legalization of same-sex marriage everywhere in the United States. After resigning his post in 2017, he became an outspoken supporter of LGBT rights and has become friends with his legal opponent, Jim Obergefell.