Gary Cates (born December 27, 1955) is a Republican politician who served in the Ohio General Assembly.

A graduate of Virginia Tech and the University of Dayton, Cates began his political career as a Union Township Trustee from 1990 to 1995.

A reliably Republican district, Cates faced no opposition in the 1996 primary and beat Kendall L. Mays handily in the 1996 election.

Midway through 2003, the Butler County Republican party sought to create a proposal that would help to avoid a primary.

It focused on Jolivette and Combs switching offices, therefore allowing Cates to seal the nomination for the Senate seat.