NEW HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERSHIP TAKES SHAPE

Now that the November election is over, we know that the Democrats have won the majority in the House and the Republicans have retained their 21-12 majority in the Senate.  There are still two races in the House that will likely be subject to recounts, so the Democrat majority will be as high as 53-46 or as low as 51-48. While the Legislature is currently in its lame-duck session that is scheduled to conclude the third week of December, much of the focus is on who will lead the House and Senate next session which begins in January.  Below is an update on where things currently stand:

House Democrat Caucus – The House Democrats are scheduled to elect their leadership team next week.  It is widely expected that Armund Budish (D-Beachwood) will be elected the new Speaker of the House and Matt Szollosi (D-Toledo) will be the Speaker Pro Tempore.  Others mentioned as possibilities for the leadership team are Jennifer Garrison (D-Marietta) and Jay Goyal (D-Mansfield).

House Republican Caucus – The House Republican leadership team was elected this week.  They are:
            Bill Batchelder (R-Medina) Minority Leader
            Louis Blessing (R-Cincinnati) Assistant Minority Leader
            John Adams (R-Sidney) Minority Whip
            Kris Jordan (R-Powell) Assistant Minority Whip

Senate Republican Caucus – The Senate Republicans have not met yet; however, current Senate President Bill Harris (R-Ashland) is expected to be re-elected.  The President Pro Tempore will likely be Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond) who many think will be the Senate President in two years when Senator Harris is term-limited.

Senate Democrat Caucus – The Senate Democrat leadership team was elected this week.  They are:
            Capri Cafaro (D-Hubbard) Minority Leader
            Shirley Smith (D-Cleveland) Assistant Minority Leader
            Ray Miller (D-Columbus) Minority Whip
            Jason Wilson (D-Columbiana) Assistant Minority Whip

 

OAHU MEMBER BARBARA SEARS ELECTED TO HOUSE

OAHU is pleased to report that OAHU member Barbara Sears was elected to her first full-term to the House.  Representative Sears is a Republican from Sylvania who was elected with 57% of the vote.  Recently, OAHU encouraged our members to consider making a contribution to support Representative Sears’ campaign.  We are pleased to report that $1,650 was raised as part of this effort.  Thank you to all OAHU members who responded to this request.

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