Robert Emmet O'Shaughnessy, Sr. (February 23, 1918 – February 16, 1991) was an American
Democratic politician, member of the
Ohio Senate, and Funeral Director. A member of a political family, O'Shaughnessy was initially appointed to the Senate to succeed his brother,
Jerry O'Shaughnessy, who had died. In 1974, O'Shaughnessy overcame a divisive primary and a challenge by
Republican Keith McNamara to retain the seat. He subsequently was appointed as Chairman of the Senate Energy Committee.
In 1978, O'Shaughnessy faced opposition in
John Kasich, a political newcomer. In the end, he lost his seat to Kasich, ending his tenure in the Senate at seven years.
After his defeat, he opted to become Clerk of the Senate, however was not chosen.
Clerk appointed for Ohio Senate
/ref> Subsequently, he returned to his family funeral home business in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus (, ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities in Ohio, most populous city of the U.S. state of Ohio. With a 2020 United States census, 2020 census population of 905,748, it is the List of United States ...
; he had worked as a Funeral Director for over fifty years. He died in 1991, at the age of 72.
He is the father of the Maryellen O'Shaughnessy
Maryellen O'Shaughnessy is an American Democratic Party (United States), Democratic politician from Columbus, Ohio, and current the Franklin County, Ohio, Franklin County Clerk of Courts. O'Shaughnessy is serving in her fourth consecutive term. ...
, Franklin County Clerk of Courts.
References
Democratic Party Ohio state senators
Politicians from Columbus, Ohio
1918 births
1991 deaths
20th-century members of the Ohio General Assembly
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