House screening panel recommends Tavia Galonski for 35th House district seat
State Rep. Jack Cera (D-Bellaire) today announced the House Democratic screening panel tasked with finding a replacement for the 35th House district seat, previously held by Greta Johnson (D-Akron), has recommended Tavia Galonski to fill the remainder of Johnson’s term.
The panel recommended Galonski after interviewing eight applicants for the 35th House district seat.
“Among the many qualified applicants, Tavia’s leadership and experience make her the best possible representative for the thirty-fifth district,” said Cera. “We are confident constituents will have a real advocate for their future in Mrs. Galonski.”
Galonski, a magistrate in the Summit County Court of Common Pleas, has served the state in a legal capacity for over 15 years. Formerly appointed as magistrate of the county’s domestic relations court, she currently serves as magistrate of the county’s juvenile court.
“I believe my professional experience will enable me to be an effective advocate in Columbus for the families, children and working people of the thirty-fifth,” said Galonski. “Everyone deserves to be heard, but too often Ohio children and families feel like they do not have a voice at the Statehouse. I look forward to working with Democrats and Republicans to promote innovative policies that put people back to work, improve our education system, instill fairness in our justice system, and create good-paying jobs.”
In addition to her extensive background in public service, policy and legal issues, Galonski is also a member of Leadership Akron, The University of Akron School of Law Alumni Association, the Barristers and the Ohio State Bar Association. She was appointed to serve as the juvenile court representative for the Summit County Fatherhood Initiative, which earned her the 2014 Ohio Fatherhood Center Achievement Award.
Galonski received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Emory University in Atlanta. After attending the University of Nottingham in the U.K., she completed her Juris Doctorate at the University Akron School of Law in 1995. Galonski worked as a judicial attorney in Summit County for several years before being appointed as a magistrate.
The screening panel that recommended Galonski was led by Democratic Caucus Dean Rep. Jack Cera (D-Bellaire) and included Reps. John Rogers (D-Mentor-on-the-Lake), Kristin Boggs (D-Columbus), Assistant Minority Leader Nick Celebrezze (D-Parma) and Assistant Minority Whip Emilia Sykes (D-Akron).
The screening panel’s recommendations will be presented to Democratic legislators on the House floor Wednesday, May 10 for an official vote of appointment.