State Representative Susan Manchester (R-Waynesfield), to the surprise of some, didn’t grow up dreaming of bumping elbows with fellow lawmakers in the bustling state capital building. Quite the contrary, but for a summer internship with U.S. Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Urbana), Manchester would likely be working on the family farm, instead she finds herself fighting for families and children.
Growing up on the family farm in Waynesfield, Ohio, Manchester went on to graduate from The Ohio State University in 2010 with degrees in Psychology and Political Science. She worked in Washington, D.C. for Congressman Jim Jordan, where she focused on policies such as agriculture, health care, business and education.
“I fell in love with the work we were doing. Getting to meet people from across the state and to see the issues other parts of Ohio are dealing with,” Manchester said.
These days Manchester is serving her third term in the Ohio House of Representatives and represents the 78th District, which encompasses Allen County and the northern portion of Auglaize County.
Manchester took a position with a non-profit organization focused on mentoring kids.
Manchester was first elected to the General Assembly in 2018. During her time in the legislature, Representative Manchester chaired the House Families, Aging, and Human Services Committee, and also served as a member of the House Health Committee and House Primary and Secondary Education Committee. Additionally, she was appointed to the Health Oversight and Advisory Committee in 2021.
Representative Manchester also served as the Co-Vice Chair of the Ohio Legislative Children Caucus, where she ardently fought for the protection and safety of Ohio’s children. She created the Ohio Youth and Family Ombudsman Office through the department of Jobs and Family Services, which provides a layer of security and accountability for Ohio’s children. Her work as an advocate for Ohio’s children has been recognized statewide. Representative Manchester was honored by the Public Children Services Association of Ohio with the Legislator of the Year Award in 2022, and was recognized as a Champion of Children by the Ohio Children’s Alliance.
Additionally, Representative Manchester introduced and passed several important bills that addressed needs she saw in her district; many of these bills are now state law. Notable bills she had signed into law include the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit Program, which helps assist one generation of farmers to the next as agricultural assets are rented and sold and ultimately fosters a strong agricultural presence in the state. She also closed a dangerous loophole in Ohio law by expanding the Ohio Revised Code to criminalize the use or manipulation of a controlled substance addiction as a method of human trafficking.
Manchester recently filed paperwork to run for the Ohio Senate seat currently held by term-limited Senate President Matt Huffman.
Manchester tells The Bluffton News she has had the privilege of representing 5 of the 7 counties of the senate district as a member of the Ohio House, and that she is excited for the opportunity to continue providing conservative representation to the residents of West Central Ohio.
“During my five years in the legislature, I have fought hard to balance the budget while cutting taxes, cut red tape for small businesses and protect our constitutional liberties, while steadfastly standing up to defend innocent life. There is still more work to be done and I look forward to continuing that work in the Ohio Senate,” she said.
As a state representative Manchester passed bills to create the Ohio Youth and Family Ombudsman office to assist youth and families in Ohio’s foster care system and launched the Beginning Farmer Tax Credit program to support family farms. She has served on the Agriculture, Education, and Healthcare committees.
In an interview with TBN she shared her excitement to hit the campaign trail to listen to voters and to share her conservative record in office.
“Our district is right in the heart of West Central Ohio, where conservative principles are alive and working,” Manchester said. “It is critical that we continue to protect and defend our conservative values at the Statehouse.”
Manchester and her husband Isaac live near her family farm in Auglaize County. Prior to being elected to the legislature, Manchester served as Congressman Jim Jordan’s legislative aide. Senate District 12 covers Allen, Auglaize, Mercer, Shelby, Darke, Logan and Champaign counties.