Republican members of the Ohio House of Representatives selected a new state legislator to replace former Speaker of the House Larry Householder — who was expelled from his position earlier this month.
The lawmakers selected Ohio State Highway Patrol staff Lt. Kevin Miller, one of 19 applicants — of which included Householder’s son — for the position and a resident of Franklin Township.
In Miller’s current position, he serves as a legislative liaison between the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the state legislature — assisting draft proposals and bills in his expertise.
“His extensive experience serving the Ohio State Highway Patrol will allow him to serve and represent the People of the 72nd House district well,” said Ohio Speaker of the House Bob Cupp (R-Lima).
According to Miller’s application, he will utilize his new position to support police officers and other first responders throughout the state.
“As a lifelong Republican, I believe conservative morals, values and policies are essential to ensure the success of Ohio and its citizens,” he said.
Miller will assume his position on Monday when he is sworn in.
The seat’s former occupant was removed earlier this month in an extremely rare, bipartisan vote to expel the former powerful figure due to lingering corruption charges.
Householder and four other individuals were arrested in July, related to a taxpayer-funded bailout of two nuclear power plants in Ohio. After FBI agents raided his home, the Department of Justice described the plot as likely the largest bribery and money-laundering scheme that had “ever been perpetrated against the people of the state of Ohio.”
Householder argued that the charges and move to expel him from office were “politically motivated.”
If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for the Star News Network. Follow Cooper on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected]
