By Kimberly Gasuras

Tina (Zwayer) Husted may be the wife of Jon Husted, the state of Ohio’s Secretary of State, but that was not her focus when she recently visited her hometown of Bucyrus.

Tina is focused on the importance of community.

“I know that growing up in Bucyrus helped shape who I am today,” Tina said. “In a small community, you get to know your neighbors. People help others when they are needed. A feeling of community and belonging is important to children as they grow up.”

Tina is a 1990 graduate of Colonel Crawford High School and said she was not a good student until a certain teacher changed her life.

“Chuck Huggins. Most people think of him as a great coach but to me, he was a great teacher,” Tina said. “He was my sixth grade teacher and until then, I had not been a very good student. He taught me the importance of education and gave me the confidence in myself to set higher goals and the skills to reach them.”

Tina said her mom was her greatest role model growing up in Bucyrus.

“My mom was involved with the Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Altrusa Club, she helped with food drives. Service to the community was very important to her. She was a great, great role model,” said Tina.

Tina has been an avid runner and was a three-time state champion in her high school days.

“I took a few years off from running but started again from about age 39 to 42,” Tina said. “Running was a great way for me to decompress. It is spiritual, you feel closer to God. I love the camaraderie with other runners also,” Tina said.

Tina participated in the Boston Marathon and was there during the bombing that occurred in 2013.

“I was with 15 other athletes in a van when the bombing occurred. Our coach just hung his head and asked what was happening. I prayed. It was such a tragedy and so surreal,” Tina said.

Tina’s life as a politician’s wife keeps changing as her husband makes his Republican bid for governor. She is the mother of two daughters, 10-year-old Katie and 8-year-old Kylie, and to a 22-year-old stepson, and said her family is strong because of their strong faith in God.

“Our faith keeps us centered,” Tina said.

Listen to WBCO from 9 to 9:30 a.m. on Monday for an interview with Tina Husted on the Spotlight Show with Dave Bush.