Of the 147 Republicans that objected to certifying the results of the Electoral College on Wednesday, five of them were representatives from Ohio.
The first state that had contested electoral results was Arizona and a motion to overturn the results in the state was voted down 93-6 in the Senate and 303-121 in the House of Representatives, reported The Hill.
The vote came after a several-hour recess caused by rioters who supported President Trump storming the U.S. Capitol building.
Local media reported that four House members objected to certifying Arizona’s results.
They include:
- Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH-4)
- Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH-6)
- Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-OH-7)
- Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH-8)
Plans to debate the legitimacy of other states were suspended due to the riots, with only Pennsylvania’s results being objected to, NBC4i reported. The Senate skipped debate entirely and immediately voted down objection to Pennsylvania’s results 92-7, while the House voted it down 282-138 after a debate.
The Ohio representatives objecting to Pennsylvania’s results include the four same representatives that objected to Arizona’s results, with the addition of Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH-1).
Neither of the U.S. Senators from Ohio objected to the certification of the results of the Electoral College.
In a statement released on January 5, Johnson said that he was objecting to Pennsylvania’s results because allegations of voter fraud were dismissed from courts on “a partisan basis.”
“I don’t expect that this effort to scrutinize the parts of our election system that have the greatest potential for fraud – and the least amount of voter trust – will change the ultimate outcome of the 2020 presidential election,” Johnson said. “But I was elected to do the right thing for our Constitution and for our nation. Simply rubber stamping these slipshod and partisan-laced electoral outcomes is wrong.”
Gibbs released a similar statement on January 4.
“The right to vote and be heard, to have a voice in our government is one of the most important pillars of our democracy. I believe fraudulent actions and illegal voting in one state dilutes the power and voice of voters in all states,” he said. “I do not believe the allegations of fraud and improprieties have gotten their day in court, as many cases were dismissed on procedural grounds, often times citing lack of standing. If the American people could not hear the evidence in court, it is incumbent upon Congress to provide that venue.”
All five representatives publicly decried the violence at the protest.
https://twitter.com/RepBobGibbs/status/1346913253998415874
Americans support peaceful protests, First Amendment activity, and the men and women of law enforcement.
What happened today is wrong and is not what America is about.
— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) January 6, 2021
…government buildings for the last 6 months, this lawlessness is wrong and should be universally condemned. We’re all Americans, and we’re better than this. I thank all the men& women of the U.S. Capitol Police+other law enforcement agencies who brought help for their service.
— Rep. Bill Johnson (@RepBillJohnson) January 6, 2021
There is no excuse for yesterday's display.
Read my full statement below. pic.twitter.com/JPoYndsRcD
— Warren Davidson 🇺🇸 (@WarrenDavidson) January 7, 2021
But, we do not, under any circumstances, have the right to violently storm government buildings and threaten the safety of our police officers and our fellow citizens.
— Archive: Rep. Steve Chabot (@RepSteveChabot) January 6, 2021
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Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Ohio Star. Follow her on Twitter at @JordynPair.
