Biography
State Rep. Kenneth "Kenny" Yuko (D-7th District) proudly represents the communities of Euclid, South Euclid, Richmond Heights, and Collinwood (Cleveland).
Rep. Yuko grew up in Euclid and graduated from Brush High School in the South Euclid/Lyndhurst School District in 1968. He then attended both Cuyahoga Community College and Kent State University before entering the workforce.
Rep. Yuko began his career as a clothing buyer for Polsky’s Department Store, but he soon found his true passion with union organizing. Rep. Yuko served with the Laborers’ Local #860 for 30 years, including 25 years as union organizer. He retired from that service in 2004. During his long career, he received multiple awards for his efforts, including the “2000 Organizing Award” from his international union.
As a former leader in the labor movement and now as state Representative, Rep. Yuko is committed to improving the quality of life for Ohio’s working families. Rep. Yuko has established himself as a strong advocate for increased health care access and Multiple Sclerosis awareness since voters first elected him in 2004.
In March of 2006, he introduced and achieved passage of House Bill 379, which designated March as MS Awareness Month in the state of Ohio. The bill passed unanimously in both chambers of the legislature, and was signed into law by Governor Bob Taft. In recognition of this and other efforts, Rep. Yuko was named “Legislator of the Year” by the Ohio Health Advocacy Network in 2006.
Rep. Yuko serves chair of the House Commerce and Labor committee, and he is a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure; Local Government and Public Administration; Health; and Faith-based Initiatives committees.
In addition to his regular legislative duties, Rep. Yuko serves on the Bureau of Workers Compensation Oversight Committee, Unemployment Advisory Committee, and the Ohio Historical Society board (ex-officio). He is an active member of the Cancer, Fire, and Housing caucuses.
Rep. Yuko resides in Richmond Heights with his wife, Pamela. They have two children, Angela and Rockey.
Education
Cuyahoga Community College; Kent State University
Honors/Awards
Laborers' International Union - District 8 - Organizer of the Year (2000); Member of the National Multiple Sclerosis Hall of Fame
Memberships/Affiliations
Democratic Party - Executive Committee and Euclid, South Euclid, Richmond Heights and Cleveland - Ward 10 + 11; Laborers' International Union of North America; East Side Irish-American Club; Cleveland Polka Hall of Fame; South Euclid Lions Club; Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #27
Responsibilities
A State Representative is an elected official whose job is to serve as a direct link between those Ohioans he or she was elected to represent and state government. In order to best fulfill this role, a representative responds to constituent concerns and works to provide solutions through legislative action. In order to best serve their constituents, a state representative attends meetings of their local civic, social and business groups in addition to responding to mail, email and telephone correspondence from constituents in their district.
