Lawmakers in Ohio’s 136th General Assembly to take their oaths: What to know about area legislators

FILE - The Ohio Statehouse cupola is seen in Columbus, Ohio, on April 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, file)

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

FILE - The Ohio Statehouse cupola is seen in Columbus, Ohio, on April 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, file)
Local News
By
Jan 6, 2025
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Ohio’s 136th General Assembly will be sworn in and leadership positions will be cemented today as seven Miami Valley lawmakers enter new roles in the area’s 19-member delegation.

All 19 Miami Valley legislators will be entering a Statehouse that has a similar GOP supermajority to years past. But, Republicans in both the House and the Senate will hope for a smoother start than they had in the 135th General Assembly, in which a contentious race for House Speaker — ultimately decided by a marginal Democratic caucus — fractured the House GOP caucus and forged a gap between Republican leaders of the state’s two chambers.

New leadership

If preliminary leadership elections in November match today’s official vote, there will be new Republican leadership in both the Ohio House and the Ohio Senate. Meanwhile, Democrats are primed to stick with House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, and Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood, to lead their superminority caucuses over the next two years.

FILE - President of the Ohio Senate Matt Huffman listens to debate, Feb. 28, 2024, in the Ohio Statehouse Senate Chambers in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Joe Maiorana, File)

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Credit: AP

The House is set to be led by Matt Huffman, a Lima Republican whose official reign as Senate President ends when he swears in as a new House member today. He’ll be joined by an expansive elected leadership team, which includes Montgomery County Rep. Phil Plummer, R-Butler Twp., who is set to serve as Assistant House Speaker Pro Tempore.

Rob McColley, Ohio Senate Republican from the 1st District, speaks with colleagues at the Ohio State House Senate Chambers in Columbus, Ohio, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Joe Maiorana)

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Credit: AP

In the Senate, president-elect Rob McColley, a Republican from Napoleon, is set to take charge of the chamber later today. He’ll be joined by a leadership team that includes Butler County Sen. George Lang, R-West Chester, who will undertake a leadership role for the first time in his state legislative career.

Over the past few years, McColley and Huffman shared a close working relationship in the Senate, which suggests a more cohesive relationship between the House and the Senate in the 136th General Assembly compared to the 135th.

Incoming members

Miami Valley’s incoming members to the Ohio General Assembly include:

Voter Guide 2024: Willis Blackshear, candidate for Ohio Senate, District 6

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  • Willis Blackshear, Jr., a Dayton Democrat who served two terms in the House before successfully running to replace four-year Sen. Niraj Antani, R-Miami Twp., in the Ohio Senate. Blackshear’s win in Senate District 6 was one of four seats gained in November’s election.
Desiree Tims, president of Innovation Ohio, is running for the 38th House District of Ohio. CONTRIBUTED

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  • Desiree Tims, a Dayton Democrat and president of the think tank Innovation Ohio, will take over for Blackshear in the Ohio House in her first term as an elected official.
Ohio State District 10 candidate Kyle Koehler speaks with voters at a debate for the March primary election at Springfield City Hall Forum Monday, Feb. 12, 2024. JESSICA OROZCO/STAFF

Credit: Jessica Orozco

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Credit: Jessica Orozco

  • Kyle Koehler, a Springfield Republican who formerly spent eight years in the Ohio House before a brief political hiatus. He’ll be sworn in to take over for outgoing Sen. Bob Hackett, R-London, who spent eight years in the role.
Diane Mullins, 2024 candidate for the 47th Ohio House District in Butler County. PROVIDED/FACEBOOK CAMPAIGN SITE

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  • Diane Mullins, a Republican pastor from Hamilton set to enter her first elected position in state government after unseating six-year Rep. Sara Carruthers, R-Hamilton, in a 2024 primary.
Michelle Teska. FILE

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Credit: FILE

  • Michelle Teska, a Clearcreek Twp. Republican and business owner set to take her first oath of office. She’ll take over for outgoing Rep. Scott Lipps, R-Franklin, who spent eight years in the role.
Voter Guide 2024: Levi Dean, candidate for State Representative 71st district

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  • Levi Dean, a Xenia Republican, business owner, and son of outgoing Rep. Bill Dean, R-Xenia, who spent eight years in the seat. Levi Dean previously served on Xenia city council.
Republican Ohio House candidate for House District 80

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  • Johnathan Newman, a Southern Baptist pastor and Republican out of Troy who is set to take over for outgoing Rep. Jena Powell, R-Arcanum, who spent six years in the role.

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Avery Kreemer can be reached at 614-981-1422, on X, via email, or you can drop him a comment/tip with the survey below.

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