CHILLICOTHE, OH – April 20, 2025 — Former Ohio House Representative Ronald Edward Hood, a longtime Republican lawmaker known for his staunch conservative stances and multiple terms in the state legislature, passed away suddenly overnight. He was 55 years old.
Hood, a resident of Pickaway County, served in the Ohio House of Representatives across several districts during his political career, including the 57th, 78th, and 91st districts. He was first elected to the House in 1994 after a narrow loss in his initial bid in 1992. He went on to serve multiple terms, winning re-election in a number of competitive races.
A graduate of Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business, Hood earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1991, with dual majors in marketing and economics.
Hood was known for his strong advocacy on conservative social issues. In 2019, he co-sponsored controversial legislation that sought to ban abortion in Ohio and included language requiring doctors to attempt the reimplantation of ectopic pregnancies — a medically unfeasible procedure — or face criminal charges. He also previously sponsored a “heartbeat bill” in 2018, part of broader efforts among state-level lawmakers to restrict abortion access.
In addition to his legislative work, Hood ran in the 2021 special election for Ohio’s 15th congressional district and later announced a bid for governor in the 2022 Ohio gubernatorial race.
Throughout his time in office, Hood served on key committees, including the House Commerce and Labor Committee and the House Criminal Justice Committee.
Hood reported died of medical complications. No further details have been released regarding the cause of death. Tributes from colleagues and former constituents are expected in the coming days.
