Robert E. Latta

Robert Edward "Bob" Latta is a Republican politician who has represented Ohio's 5th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2007. Born in Bluffton, Ohio, in 1956, he is the son of former long-term Congressman Del Latta. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Bowling Green State University in 1978 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Toledo College of Law in 1981. Before serving in Congress, Latta held several positions in local and state government. He served as a Wood County Commissioner from 1991 to 1996, followed by a term in the Ohio State Senate from 1997 to 2000. He later served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 2001 until his election to the U.S. House in a 2007 special election to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Paul Gillmor. Throughout his tenure in the U.S. House, he has been active in committee work and has sponsored numerous pieces of legislation. In his legislative career, Latta has focused on constituent services, veteran affairs, and federal agency oversight. He is currently seeking re-election for the 2026 term. He is married to Marcia Sloan, with whom he has two children, and is a member of the Catholic Church.