Election 2016: DOs in several states elected to office

Michigan state Rep. Edward Canfield, DO, was first elected to public office in 2014. At the time, he told The DO that he had a desire to make a greater impact on his community.

“I tell my kids all the time, ‘We need to try to make a difference,’ ” Dr. Canfield said. “I want to show my kids that sometimes you have to serve. It’s not just all about making a living.”

Dr. Canfield and DOs in six other states will be providing a physician voice in their state governments in 2017. Here’s a list of DOs elected to state office. Beyond the following DOs, the AOA is not aware of other DOs serving in state office; please email
[email protected] if there’s a DO not on this list that the AOA should know about.

Kansas: Gregory Lakin, DO (R), was elected to his first term in the state House of Representatives.

Michigan: Edward Canfield, DO (R), was re-elected to a second term in the state House of Representatives. Dr. Canfield joined the Michigan House in 2015.

Missouri: Two DOs, Keith Frederick, DO (R), and James W. Neely, DO (R), will serve in the state House of Representatives. Dr. Frederick has served since 2011; Dr. Neely has served since 2013.

Ohio: In 2017, Terry Johnson, DO (R), will begin his fourth term in the state House of Representatives.

Oklahoma: Dale Derby, DO (R), was elected to his first term in the state House of Representatives, while J. Michael Ritze, DO (R), was elected to his fifth.

Texas: J.D. Sheffield, DO (R), was re-elected to the state House of Representatives, where he has served since 2013.

West Virginia: Samuel Muscari Sr., DO (D), won the county commissioner race in Wyoming County. Tom Takubo, DO (R), was elected to a four-year term in the state Senate in 2014.