ICYMI: Faber Featured in Capitol Letter
Five Questions
Rep. Keith Faber is a Celina Republican running for state auditor in November against Democratic former congressman Zack Space. Faber was first elected to the Ohio House in 2001 and was elected to the Senate in 2006. He served as Ohio Senate president for two sessions, from 2013 to 2017, before moving back to the House.
1. I’ve heard you’ve had a lot of little jobs early in your life including a stint at McDonald’s. Looking back, which job was your favorite and why?
I spent three summers in college working as the artist transportation coordinator for Meadow Brook Music Festival (in Rochester Hills, Michigan). My job was to organize staffers and drivers for artists from the airport to the hotel to the venue and back and forth. I got to drive some pretty neat entertainers and artists and some people who were not so nice. Liberace was there two years before he died. He was the best person at working a crowd I’d ever seen and he was very personable and very nice. Some people had some really crazy requests. One artist wanted a certain flavor of Dentyne gum and I went to 15 stores to find it.
2. What you like best about being in the House and what do you miss most from the Senate?
In the House, the members are exciting. They’re mostly younger and not as experienced so their ideas are still fresh and their energy level is exciting. In the Senate, you’re one of 33 legislators…You can put your fingerprints on anything that’s going on. You can be more impactful.
3. If elected auditor, you’ll be on the first apportionment board to draw Statehouse district lines through the new process approved by voters in 2015. What voice would you bring to that effort?
I’d bring an emphasis on compact, geographically non-divisive districts. That’s what the constitution requires. I don’t think you draw districts that meet outcomes but you have to look at vote patterns. I’m a constitutionalist. You follow the law. Those ground rules will hopefully lead to a more transparent process and outcomes.
4. You’re from a fairly rural, conservative part of the state — is that a challenge when running statewide and how are you reaching out to voters who aren’t from that same background?
We’re spending a lot of time traveling around Ohio. Rural Ohio has a lot to offer. I’ve also lived in big cities — the Detroit area, Columbus and other places — and that experience is very helpful. When I was senate president, I represented the whole state. You reach out by talking about the issues that are important to them.
5. What’s one thing most people around Cap Square don’t know about you?
Most people don’t realize I like to do things that are handy. I was outside splitting wood all weekend. A good, relaxing day for me is riding on the tractor mowing grass or doing something outside with my kids.