State Sen. Kenny Yuko selected as minority leader

Richmond Heights Democrat Kenny Yuko is taking over as the Ohio Senate minority leader.

Current Senate Minority Leader Joe Schiavoni, D-Boardman, is stepping down from that role to focus on his campaign for governor.

“It’s been an honor to serve as minority leader for the past three years,” Schiavoni said in a statement. “I am proud of how our caucus has fought to give all Ohioans a fair shot and stood up for our schools and communities in the face of Republican budget cuts. Together, we have been a strong voice for millions of Ohioans at the Statehouse and I know that will continue under Sen. Yuko’s leadership.”

Yuko takes over as the Senate’s highest ranking Democrat on April 26.

“I am grateful that my colleagues have given me the opportunity to serve as their leader,” Yuko said in a statement. “We have a great team and we’ll work hard every day to protect working families, promote access to quality health care and improve Ohio’s economy. During the upcoming budget debate in the Senate, we will fight to ensure our schools and communities have the resources they need and deserve.”

Yuko represents the 25th District, which comprises eastern Cuyahoga County and part of Lake County.

The 66-year-old Yuko is a retired union organizer. He previously served as a state representative from 2005 through 2012 and was term limited. He became a state senator in 2015, succeeding Democrat Nina Turner, who decided not seek re-election in a failed bid for Ohio secretary of state.

Schiavoni was the first Democrat to announce his run for governor when he did so in February after U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, DNiles, said he would not seek term-limited Gov. John Kasich’s seat.

Former state Rep. Connie Pillich and former U.S. Rep. Betsy Sutton have since announced their candidacy on the Democratic side.

Yuko