COLUMBUS — Brian Chavez, a Marietta Republican, was sworn into the Ohio Senate on Wednesday to fill the seat left vacant by the retirement of former senator Frank Hoagland of Mingo Junction.

Chavez will serve the people of Ohio’s 30th District.

“I’m humbled and honored to serve the hardworking people of Ohio’s 30th Senate District,” Chavez said. “Our area of the state has unique challenges and opportunities. I look forward to working with my new colleagues in the Ohio legislature to serve the people with distinction.”

Hoagland announced his plan to retire in mid-November, effective Dec. 1. At the time, he said his time in office has made him more appreciative of the quality of his district’s residents and the strength and potential of the area for the future. He was first elected to represent the 30th Senate District in 2016 and was reelected in 2020.

Hoagland was contacted and did not elaborate on his reasons for retirement. The U.S. Navy veteran said he looks forward to spending time with his grandchild and family.

Chavez is the manager and owner of Reno Oil & Gas LLC, which manages the drilling and field maintenance of more than 400 conventional gas and oil wells. He is also the owner of Chavez Well Service LLC and the CEO of Deeprock Disposal Solutions LLC. He was an engineer at Intel Corp. from 1996 to 2008 and has a degree in chemical engineering from the University of New Mexico.

Chavez will serve the remainder of Hoagland’s term and then run for a full, four-year term in November 2024.

The 30th District covers Washington, Athens, Belmont, Meigs, Morgan, Monroe, Noble, Harrison and Jefferson counties, as well as a portion of Guernsey County.

Chavez can be reached at: Senate Building, Ground Floor, 1 Capitol Square, Columbus, OH 43215; by phone at 614-466-6508; by email at Chavez@OhioSenate.gov; or online at ohiosenate.gov/brian-m-chavez.