Ohio Republican Party censures GOP lawmakers who backed new House speaker

Ohio Republicans on Friday rebuked 22 lawmakers who joined Democrats to elect the new speaker of the Ohio House, arguing they flouted their duties to the party and voters.

A group of GOP lawmakers banded together with Democrats earlier this week to elect state Rep. Jason Stephens, R-Kitts Hill, as speaker. The move turned what was supposed to be a routine vote into a shakeup, as House Republicans had previously chosen Rep. Derek Merrin, R-Monclova Twp., for the role.

The GOP state central committee passed the hastily-introduced resolution after electing Hamilton County Republican Party Chairman Alex Triantafilou as the new state party chairman. The resolution states, in part, that the vote "dishonors" the party and empowers House Democrats. It also notes that House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, held the Bible for Stephens to swear upon.

More:Who is Jason Stephens? The new Republican Speaker of the Ohio House

“If we don’t make a statement right now, we’re really submitting the state of Ohio into the hands of a Democratic Party that wants to take the state back to blue," said committee member Arthur McGuire, a Dayton-area pastor.

Not all members were on board with the resolution. Michelle Schneider, a former state representative, argued it's impossible to know what happened behind-the-scenes and said those lawmakers should have the chance to defend themselves.

“Are we going to censure someone every time we don’t agree with their decision?" she said. "Where does it stop?"

The committee censured former U.S. Rep. Anthony Gonzalez in 2021 over his vote to impeach former President Donald Trump.

Who did Ohio Republicans censure?

The group of 22 Republicans who supported Stephens include longtime lawmakers such as Rep. Bill Seitz, R-Cincinnati, and Rep. Jay Edwards, R-Nelsonville. An early version of the resolution would have prevented the party from providing them with endorsements or financial support, but those penalties were removed during Friday's meeting.

"People on the state central committee who have no appreciation of the entire factual picture are entitled to draw their own conclusions, though they lack the simple grace of allowing us to explain why we did what we did," Seitz said. "That is reprehensible."

House leaders have previously said there was no "grand deal" to make Stephens speaker, but Russo said they discussed how to work together on issues such as education and redistricting. State Rep. Brian Stewart, R-Ashville, suspects Stephens also agreed not to pursue a controversial resolution that would require 60% of the vote to amend Ohio's constitution.

“All over the country, there has been a debate between Republicans in legislatures on how best to decide their leadership, even at the national level," Stephens said in a statement. "What makes the Republican Party strong is when we think about Ohio first. Putting Ohioans first and listening to others is my commitment and priority so we can all move Ohio forward."

Rep. Jon Cross, R-Kenton, said some House Republicans are still frustrated with the speaker vote, but most are coming back together and want to move on.

“What you’re telling me is I’m a Republican that voted for a Republican speaker and the state Republican party is censuring me?" said Cross, who was among those censured. "Sounds like the dipshits are running the insane asylum."

Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio Republican Party censures GOP lawmakers who backed House speaker