REPUBLICANS CONTROL 126th Ohio General Assembly

Ohio Libraries, Winter 2005

The Republican Party enjoys a comfortable majority in both the House (59 to 40) and the Senate (22 to 11) in the 126th Ohio General Assembly.

There were 16 of 33 Senators running for election with five open seats. All of the four appointed incumbents running were successful in retaining their seats. Four House members moved to the Senate: Gary Cates (R-West Chester), Patricia Clancy (R-Cincinnati), Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond), and Charlie Wilson (D-Bridgeport).

In the House all 99 members were up for reelection, but only 11 of the races were hotly contested. The Democrats held on to all of their incumbents except in a surprise race in the 64th House District (Warren area) where two-term incumbent Dan Sierra lost to Republican Randy Law. The surprise races were the loss of former Republican Governor and Lieutenant Governor Nancy Hollister and Republican incumbent Marilyn Slaby.

The House has 15 freshman members, including two members who are returning after several years' hiatus from the legislature.

OHIO GENERAL ASSEMBLY LEADERSHIP

House of Representatives

Speaker of the House - John Husted (R-Kettering). Speaker Husted is a 37-year-old graduate of the University of Dayton. He served as the Director of the Education and Public Improvement Foundation and the Dayton Chamber of Commerce before his election to the Ohio House in 2000.

Speaker Pro Temp - Chuck Blasdel (R-E. Liverpool). Representative Blasdel is a 30-year-old graduate of the Ohio Valley Business College in East Liverpool, Ohio. He has served on the Columbiana County Planning Commission and the Calcutta Area Chamber of Commerce. He was elected to the Ohio House in 2000.

House Majority Floor Leader- Merle Kearns (R-Springfield). Representative Kerns is a 64-year-old graduate of The Ohio State University. She served in the Ohio Senate before her term limit expired, and she moved to the Ohio House in 2001. House Assistant Majority Floor Leader - Larry Flowers (R Canal Winchester). Representative Flowers is a graduate of Watkins Memorial High School. He served as a firefighter and paramedic for 30 years and was elected to the Ohio House in 2000.

House Minority Leader- Chris Redfern (D-Port Clinton). Representative Redfern is a graduate of Bowling Green State University. He has served as a legislator and Ottawa County Commissioner. He has also worked as a greenhouse contractor.

Assistant Minority Leader - Joyce Beatty (D-Columbus). Representative Beatty is a graduate of Central State University, Wright State University, and the University of Cincinnati. She has served as the Chair of the Columbus Urban League, legislator, and a private consultant.

Minority Whip - Steve Driehaus (D-Cincinnati). Representative Driehaus is a graduate of Miami University and Indiana University. He has served in the Peace Corps and as the director of Community Building Institute.

Assistant Minority Whip - Lance Mason (D-Shaker Heights). Representative Mason is a graduate of the College of Wooster and University of Michigan. He is a former district director for Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones and Cuyahoga County Assistant County Prosecutor.

Senate

Senate President- Bill Harris (R-Ashland). Senate President Harris is a graduate of the University of Arizona. He is a retired business owner. He served in the Ohio House from 1994-1999 and was elected to the Ohio Senate in 2000.

Senate President Pro Temp - Jeff Jacobson (R-Dayton). Senator Jacobson is a graduate of Yale University and received his J.D. from University of Dayton School of Law. He is an attorney. Jacobson was elected to the Ohio Senate in 2000.

Senate Majority Floor Leader - Randy Gardner (R-Bowling Green). Senator Gardner is a graduate of Bowling Green State University. He is a realtor. Gardner served in the Ohio House from 1985-2000 and was elected to the Ohio Senate in 2000. He is a recipient of the OLC's Andrew Carnegie Award.

Senate Assistant Majority Floor Leader - Bob Spada (R-Parma Hts.). Senator Spada is a graduate of Baldwin Wallace and Cleveland State University. He is a financial consultant and was appointed to the Ohio Senate in 1999.

Majority Whip - Steve Austria (R-Beavercreek). Senator Austria is a graduate of Marquette University. He is a financial advisor. He served in the Ohio House from 1998-2000 and was elected to the Senate in 2001.

Assistant Minority Whip - Jay Hottinger (R-Newark). Senator Hottinger is a graduate of Capital University. He served on the Newark City Council from 1992-1994 and in the Ohio House from 1995-1998. He was elected to the Senate in 1999.

Senate Minority Leader - C.J. Prentiss (D-Cleveland). Senator Prentiss is a graduate of case Western Reserve, Kent State University, and Cleveland State College. She has served on the State Board of Education and as a State Representative from 1991-1998. Prentiss was appointed to the Ohio Senate in 1999.

Senate Assistant Minority Leader - Mark Mallory (D-Cincinnati). Senator Mallory is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati. He served as a State Representative from 1995-1998. He is a past recipient of the OLC's Andrew Carnegie Award.