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Gary Daniels

Pronouns: he/him/his

legislative director

Bio

Gary Daniels serves as the Legislative Director for the ACLU of Ohio. He works with state lawmakers and elected officials in Columbus, and around Ohio, to promote and defend civil liberties with most of his work centered at the Ohio Statehouse. Gary routinely works on a wide range of issues including criminal legal system reform, free speech, government surveillance, open government, voting/elections, and much more.

Gary started working with the ACLU of Ohio in 1995, left in 1999, and returned to the ACLU of Ohio in 2003. In between, he lived in New York City working for the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC), the Free Expression Network, and the Center for Constitutional Rights. Over the years, Gary has held a variety of titles and roles at the ACLU of Ohio.

Gary has a bachelor of arts degree in Political Science from Kent State University and started his career with the ACLU of Ohio not long after he graduated.

Featured Work

News & Commentary
graphic with ohio statehouse and ice agents
  • Immigrants' Rights

Ohio Lawmakers are Considering 3 Problematic Immigration-Related Bills

There are three bills moving in the Ohio legislature, with SB 172 being the most problematic. SB 172 is also the one that has advanced the farthest, having passed the Senate 23-8 in June 2025 and now awaiting hearings in the House.
News & Commentary
ohio statehouse graphic with red podium and microphone
  • Bail Reform|
  • +2 Issues

House Bill 338 – Opponent Testimony

The ACLU of Ohio advocates for a narrower version of HB 338 that directly addresses issues of serious prison violence instead of a kitchen sink bill that dilutes the focus on the stated goal of reducing that violence and, we believe, contains various changes that will prove to be counterproductive.