Ohio Loses Champion of Individual Freedom 

Ron Hood ‘Loved the Right to Work Cause — and it Showed’

Over Easter weekend this spring, supporters of the Right to Work without being forced to bankroll a union in Ohio and across the U.S. lost a great champion of their cause as National Right to Work Committee Executive Director Ron Hood passed away at the age of 55. 

From the time he joined the Ohio House of Representatives in 1995, Ron was a legislative leader of his state’s Right to Work movement. 

In 1999, the Committee rewarded him with its Legislator of the Year award, the highest Right to Work award for state lawmakers. 

Subsequently, Ron tirelessly advanced the Right to Work cause as the Committee’s executive director for 25 years — until the day he passed away.

Right to Work Leader: Opposition to Forced Dues Was Ron’s ‘Greatest Passion’ 

“It was with deep sadness that I learned the news of Ron’s untimely death,” said Right to Work Vice President Matthew Leen. 

“He leaves behind five children: Ellah, Edward, Judah, Quinne and Wesley, ages five to 21. Tragically, the children had already lost their mother to cancer five years ago. 

“In his public life, Ron was a genuine rarity — a principled elected official. On and off, he was a member of the Ohio House for a total of 16 years. At various times, he served as the representative for his state’s 57th, 78th, and 91st House districts.

“While Ron was an ‘inside’ champion for grassroots citizens on many issues during over a decade and a half as a lawmaker, he always considered his fight against forced unionism to be his greatest passion. 

“He led the fight to end Big Labor’s anti-competitive, wage-fixing ‘little Davis-Bacon’ law for Ohio school construction projects.

“This reform is estimated to have saved taxpayers almost $500 million over the five years after its passage. 

“He also led the fight to ban so-called ‘project labor agreements,’ which discriminate against union-free hardhats, on Ohio public works.”

‘Exhibit A’ of Right to Work Mobilization Program’s Effectiveness

Mr. Leen continued: 

“Ron considered himself ‘Exhibit A’ of the effectiveness of the Committee’s identify-and-mobilize strategy. He was a beneficiary of that program when he first ran as a staunchly pro-Right to Work candidate — and won — in a heavily Democrat, heavily unionized district as a 25-year-old. 

“No one could ever tell Ron that Right to Work wasn’t a winning issue, in any district. 

“He was living proof. 

“His lobbying work extended well beyond Ohio. He was instrumental in the fights to pass Right to Work laws in Indiana and Michigan, working with legislators in both states to underscore the importance of ending forced unionism as a path toward greater prosperity for all kinds of citizens. 

“Ron loved the Right to Work cause — and it showed. But most of all, he cherished the relationships he developed with many Committee supporters. 

“We will miss Ron, but his passion for liberty, his energy for individual rights, and his love of family and country will inspire us to work even harder for the cause to which he gave so much.” 

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