Two Lima Republicans will lead Ohio Legislature
COLUMBUS – When it comes to House leadership votes, Republicans’ decision Wednesday to re-elect Speaker Bob Cupp was comparatively undramatic.
The decision wasn’t forced by an FBI investigation into an outgoing speaker. The decision didn’t take 11 rounds of voting. No candidate begged Democrats for support.
In fact, the only potential challenger to Cupp’s bid, Green Township Rep. Bill Seitz, bowed out last week.
“Ohioans expect a House of Representatives that is ready to meet the challenges we face,” Seitz said. “Bob Cupp is uniquely qualified to lead our caucus in this time.”
Cupp, a former Ohio Supreme Court justice and current llama owner, narrowly won the speaker’s gavel in July after now-rep. Larry Householder was removed from the role. Householder is accused of orchestrating a nearly $61 million bribery scheme tied to $1 billion in subsidies for nuclear plants in northern Ohio.
Cupp’s leadership team will include:
h Rep. Tim Ginter, R-salem, as speaker pro tempore.
h Seitz as majority floor leader.
h Rep. Rick Carfagna, R-genoa Township, as assistant majority floor leader.
h Rep. Don Jones, R-freeport, as majority whip.
h Rep. Cindy Abrams, R-harrison, as assistant majority whip.
Both Ginter and Carfagna mounted bids for speaker in July but ultimately endorsed Cupp over Rep. Jim Butler, ROakwood. Butler, who lost that bid by one vote, is term-limited.
Democrats have not yet selected their leaders for next year.
New Senate president
Fellow Republicans selected Sen. Matt Huffman, R-lima, to lead the Ohio Senate – an expected move as current Senate President Larry Obhof, R-medina, will leave the chamber due to term limits.
Huffman’s leadership team will include:
h Sen. Jay Hottinger, R-newark, as president pro tempore.
h Sen. Kirk Schuring, R-canton, as majority floor leader.
h Sen. Rob Mccolley, R-napoleon, as majority whip.