State Representative Haraz N. Ghanbari (R-Perrysburg) was appointed in March 2019 and is serving his third term in the Ohio House of Representatives. He represents the 75th House District, which encompasses nearly all of Wood County.
Haraz has dedicated his life to serving others and has more than two decades of military service. He is a Navy veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Inherent Resolve, and an Army veteran of Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia. Promoted to Commander on February 1, 2026, he currently continues his service in the United States Navy Reserve.
As the son of an immigrant from Iran, Haraz said his parents' courage and desire to have their children born here inspired him from a young age. Haraz earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Visual Journalism from Kent State, graduating Cum Laude, and went on to graduate with distinction from the United States Naval War College’s Command and Staff Program. In 2019, Haraz earned his master’s degree from the University of Toledo.
Previously, Haraz served as the Director of Military and Veteran Affairs for The University of Toledo. His commitment to service members, veterans and their families was underscored in November 2018 when he was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame as their youngest inductee ever.
Prior to joining UT, Haraz was a staff photojournalist for The Associated Press based in Washington where his assignments included traveling nationally and internationally as a member of the White House and Pentagon press corps. During his time in Washington, he traveled on assignment with Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, Secretaries of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld and Robert M. Gates, and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Haraz is an Eagle Scout, a member of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, and a lifetime member of the American Legion, the VFW and the Military Officers Association of America. He and his family are members of CedarCreek Church.
Haraz and his wife Kim have two children.
