Women likely to lead House Dems
Three women, including one from Columbus, are expected to be part of House Democrats’ fourmember leadership team when their caucus convenes next week.
All four legislators voted last week to give Speaker Larry Householder, R-glenford, the votes he needed to become the leader of the House.
Two sources confirmed that the plan is for Rep. Emilia Sykes of Akron, a third-term legislator, to become the House minority leader, replacing Fred Strahorn of Dayton. Strahorn, who served four years as leader, agreed to step down Sykes
from that role after more than two-thirds of his caucus went against him and voted to make Householder the speaker. Strahorn was supporting former Speaker Ryan Smith, R-bidwell.
Rep. Kristin Boggs of Columbus is expected to be assistant minority leader. Boggs, a former assistant Ohio attorney general who has served three years in the House, has been a growing voice in the Democratic caucus.
If all goes to plan, rounding out the leadership team will be Rep. Kent Smith, D-euclid, who prior to the speaker vote had been expected to be the No. 4 leader, and freshman Rep. Paula Hicks-hudson of Toledo.
Rep. Brigid Kelly, D-cincinnati, was supposed to be the No. 3 caucus leader but stepped aside after the speaker vote, in which she, like Strahorn, supported Smith.
Women this session make up a record 28 members of the 99-member House after November elections in which several were voted into office, including five in Franklin County. Half of the 38 Democrats in the chamber are women, as are four of the nine Democratic senators.
House Democrats are expected to vote on their leaders next Wednesday.
House Republicans, who also split between Householder and Smith, also are working on filling out their leadership team.
Householder appointed an eightmember special committee on House rules this week. Rep. David Leland, D-columbus, was one of three Democrats chosen.