About Jim

     Jim Hughes began his career in public service as a prosecutor in the Columbus City Prosecutor’s Office and later, as an Assistant County Prosecutor for Franklin County. In 2000, he was recruited to serve in the Ohio House of Representatives and has been elected and re-elected to that post four times.
     As a member of the Ohio House, Hughes has put his legal experience to work for the benefit of all Ohioans, helping pass a number of crime initiatives to crack down on offenders and keep families safe. Hughes sponsored the bill that increased the penalties for identity theft and pushed for stronger laws to keep sex predators off the streets and away from children. His leadership in these and other areas allowed him to rise through the ranks to serve as chairman of the Juvenile and Family Law Committee and a member of both the Civil and Commercial Law and the Criminal Justice Committees.
     Hughes also serves on the House Commerce and Labor Committee and in the past, chaired the Higher Education Finance Subcommittee, where he has played a critical role in efforts to revitalize the economy, make higher education more affordable, and to ensure state policies help, and not hinder, the ability of local communities to attract new jobs and economic investment. Hughes was a strong supporter of tax reform, including a 21 percent state income tax cut for all Ohioans and of state investments in high-tech research and development through the Third Frontier Program, which has resulted in millions of dollars for Franklin County as it works to become a leader in high-tech fields like polymers, biotechnology and fuel cells, among other things.
     Hughes continues to practice law as an attorney at Wiles, Boyle, Burkholder, and Bringardner. He earned his Juris Doctorate at Capital University School of Law after completing undergraduate degrees in business administration and transportation and logistics from The Ohio State University.
     He and his wife Susan live in Clintonville with their daughter Kaela and are active in many local community organizations, including the Ascension Lutheran Church, where Hughes is a deacon, as well as the American Cancer Society, Agonis Club, Shamrock Club, Charity Newsies, Aladdin Shrine Temple and numerous area Chambers of Commerce.