COLUMBUS – A major figure in Ohio politics is gone: Former Cleveland mayor, senator and Governor George Voinovich has died.
His wife, Janet, says he died peacefully in his sleep early Sunday at his home in Cleveland. He was 79.
“George Voinovich exemplified everything good about public service. It was never about him, but always about helping others. He was an independent voice who never hesitated to speak his mind.” –U.S. Sen Rob Portman.
Voinovich had delivered public remarks Friday at a 25th Slovenian Independence Day event at Cleveland City Hall. He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention coming to Cleveland next month.
“As Mayor, Voinovich saved Cleveland from default and led a comeback campaign for the city. He proficiently governed Ohio and served as a voice of reason in the U.S. Senate.” -Ohio GOP Chairman Matt Borges
“I am deeply saddened at the passing of George Voinovich. For nearly 50 years, he was a devoted public servant, a testament to his love for the state of Ohio and the United States.” –Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther
Former President George H.W. Bush called Voinovich “the quintessential public servant,” someone who “brought people together, focused on results, and left his state and our country a better place.”
Governor John Kasich called Voinovich “a unifier who thought outside the box, never gave up and worked hard for the ideas he believed in.”
Sen. Rob Portman says his predecessor “was an independent voice who never hesitated to speak his mind.”
Former U.S. House Speaker John Boehner says Voinovich was “a truly good and decent man who was unafraid to endure criticism for the sake of causes he believed were just.” He says that’s a standard future generations will strive for.
“His various roles in public service, including as governor, United States senator and mayor of Cleveland, are all examples of steady, thoughtful and honorable leadership. His legacy is something to truly be admired.” -Speaker of the Ohio House Clifford Rosenberger
Voinovich preached frugality in his personal and public life and occasionally bucked the GOP establishment. He opposed the size of former President George W. Bush’s tax cuts and later questioned Bush’s war strategy in Iraq.
“The state of Ohio has lost a dear friend. Senator Voinovich was a talented and dedicated public servant and statesman, but above all a devoted and loving family man.” -Michael Drake, president of The Ohio State University
Voinovich spent 12 years in the Senate, leaving in 2011. He previously served two terms as Ohio’s governor and a decade as mayor of Cleveland, which he helped pull out of default.