The Cuyahoga County Republican Party censured State Representative Tom Patton (R-Strongsville) on Thursday for voting in favor of newly elected House Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill).
The Cuyahoga County Republican Party Disciplinary Committee previously recommended that Patton be censured for disregarding his obligation to the party and public by voting for Stephens.
“Thomas Patton is subject to discipline for other conduct that violates the spirit of the Republican Party Central Committee bylaws. Conduct tending to injure the good name of the organization, disturb its well-being or hamper it in its work,” the Cuyahoga County Republican Party Disciplinary Committee said.
The Cuyahoga County Republican Party voted on Thursday in favor of the committee’s recommendation 71-56.
Now censured, Patton is removed from the county central and executive committees and prohibited from endorsement in this election cycle.
A motion of no confidence was brought against the other 21 Republican members of the House who supported Stephens.
In January, lawmakers elected moderate Republican Stephens as the new speaker to succeed State Representative Bob Cupp (R–Lima) despite the Republican Caucus‘ previous selection in November of State Representative Derek Merrin (R–Moncolva) as the new speaker. Although the GOP caucus voted for Merrin as Speaker of the House in December, Stephen worked with the Democrats to collect votes and garner a win.
Stephens won the speaker-ship over Merrin 54-43, with 22 Republicans and votes from all 32 Democrats.
In January, the GOP State Central Committee censured the 22 lawmakers for voting with Democrats to choose the new Speaker of the Ohio House, saying they had disregarded their obligations to the party and the public.
The county GOP is the latest of many throughout the state who have taken action against the 22 Republican lawmakers who supported Stephens.
The group of Republicans who supported Stephens includes State Representatives Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison), Monica Blasdel (R-Columbiana County), Sara Carruthers (R-Hamilton), Jon Cross (R-Kenton), Al Cutrona (R-Canfield), Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville), Haraz Ghanbari (R-Perrysburg), Brett Hudson Hillyer (R-Uhrichsville), Don Jones (R-Freeport), Jeff LaRe (R-Violet Township), Mike Loychick (R-Bazetta), Kevin Miller (R-Newark), Scott Oelslanger (R-North Canton), Tom Patton (R-Strongsville), Gail Pavliga (R-Portage County) Bob Peterson (R-Washington Court House), Tracy Richardson (R-Marysville), Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati), D.J. Swearingen (R-Huron), Bob Young (R– Green), and Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland).
Ryan McClain, executive committee member at the Republican Party of Cuyahoga County, said that the Republicans who went against the will of the caucus should answer for it.
“Liberty and freedom won. If you break with Democrats and sacrifice Republican principles as a Republican you should answer for it,” McClain said.
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Hannah Poling is a lead reporter at The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Follow Hannah on Twitter @HannahPoling1. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Jason Stephens” by Ohio House of Representatives. Photo “Tom Patton” by Tom Patton for Ohio House. Background Photo “Cuyahoga County Courthouse” by Mikerussell. CC BY-SA 3.0.
