Majority Whip Santucci Announces Creation of Ohio Italian Caucus

(Columbus, Ohio) - Majority Whip Nick Santucci (R-Niles) today announced the formation of the new Ohio Italian Caucus, a group of government and elected officials dedicated to strengthening economic, cultural, and trade relationships between the State of Ohio and the Italian Republic. The caucus will be open to government and elected officials committed to strengthening Ohio-Italy partnerships that support jobs, business growth, and international exchange.

"Ohio's Italian-American community is an enduring part of our state's history and identity, as a proud Italian-American with deep familial ties to L'Aquila, Abruzzo, I want to celebrate the rich connection to that history while looking towards the future," said Majority Whip Santucci. "The Ohio Italian Caucus will serve as a forum for elected officials to deepen economic ties with Italy, create jobs in Ohio, expand markets for our businesses, and strengthen cultural connections that benefit communities across the state. This caucus will help ensure policymakers are equipped to advance opportunities for economic growth and partnership."

Majority Whip Santucci will serve as Chair of the caucus, with Senator Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland) serving as Co-Chair.

"Ohioans of Italian heritage have been important contributors in many areas in Ohio since the several immigrant waves began in the 1800's," said Senator Cirino. "Italian-Americans have made great contributions in many fields, including medicine, teaching, construction, science, culinary arts, and, of course, the arts. Fostering a better relationship with Italy will continue to benefit Ohio. What better way than to have a caucus dedicated to this, and I am proud to serve as Co-chair of this caucus."

The Ohio Italian Caucus will focus on expanding bilateral trade and investment in key sectors, including manufacturing, technology, food and beverage, and advanced services. The caucus will strengthen connections between Ohio and Italian businesses through exchanges and collaborative ventures while supporting workforce development and educational partnerships. It will also promote Ohio-Italy cultural heritage initiatives, recognizing the contributions of the more than 700,000 Ohioans of Italian ancestry across communities, including Columbus, Cleveland, Akron, Youngstown, and Warren. Nationally, more than 19 million Americans identify as having Italian heritage, making the United States home to the third-largest Italian diaspora in the world.

Elected officials interested in joining the caucus can contact Representative Santucci's office for additional information.