The Lucas County Republican Party voted unanimously this week to censure the Republican representatives who voted in favor of newly elected House Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill).
Last month, 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 fought in collaboration with the Democrats to collect votes and garner a win.
Stephens won the speakership over Merrin 54-43, with 22 Republicans and votes from all 32 Democrats.
Last month 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 moved to censure the lawmakers. The censure prohibits any and all future Lucas County Party endorsements and financial or in-kind assistance to these individuals as elected officials or candidates for any office.
“The twenty two Republican votes for Representative Stephens dishonors the vote of the Ohio House Republican Caucus, dishonors the historic brand of the Republican Party, and misrepresents the voice of Ohio Republican voters who collectively voted for the twenty two members in order to defeat the dangerous and perverse Democratic Party Caucus agenda, not to empower it,” The Lucas County GOP said.
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).
The county GOP Chairman Chris Joseph said he is specifically disappointed in Ghanbari for being the only northwest Ohio state representative to collaborate with the Democrats.
“The Lucas County Republican Party is disappointed by the silence of our neighboring county and the vote of Haraz Ghanbari for being the only Northwest Ohio Representative to vote with the Democrats,” Joseph said in a statement.
The party also moved to commend those who honored the Ohio Republican Caucus’ November vote, singling out State Representative Joshua Williams (R-Oregon).
“The Lucas County Republican Party hereby commends the forty-three State Representatives, specifically Representative Josh Williams, for honoring the Ohio Republican Caucus Vote and standing up for Republican values in supporting Representative Derek Merrin for Speaker of the Ohio House,” The Lucas County GOP said.
Lori Viars, vice chairman at the Warren County Republican Party, applauded the censure.
“Thank you Lucas County GOP. The “Blue 22 Traitors” sold out unborn children, school choice and girls’ sports for power, leadership seats and committee chairmanships. It’s appalling,” Viars 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 “State Representative Jason Stephens” by State Representative Jason Stephens.
