Here’s how some area officials reacted to the news that Householder, and others including former Ohio GOP Chairman Matt Borges, allegedly conspired to violate the racketeering statute through honest services wire fraud, receipt of millions of dollars in bribes and money laundering.
Ohio Rep. Candice Keller, R-Middletown, called for Householder to “step aside.”
“It seems impossible that the speaker could continue to lead us through the most challenging time in all of Ohio history. It would be in the best interest of our citizens for him to step aside and allow the work of the House to continue while the investigation is ongoing,” she said.
No person or lobbyist has ever bought my vote. Not once. Ever. NO. REGRETS.
Posted by Candice Keller on Tuesday, July 21, 2020
Ohio Rep. George Lang, R-West Chester Twp., told the Journal-News Householder should resign from his speakership, but “not his (House) seat.”
Based on yesterday’s news, Larry Householder should resign as Speaker immediately. The allegations against him represent...
Posted by State Senator George Lang on Wednesday, July 22, 2020
Butler County Democratic Party Chairman Brian Hester calls for DeWine to cancel subsidies to First Energy Corp, the company at the center of the Householder scandal.
Dear @MikeDeWine,
— 🥁 Brian R. Hester 🥁 (@brianrhester) July 22, 2020
Cancel @firstenergycorp subsidies. Do it now. Make them sue the state over them but not a penny until the legislature can repeal it all.
Butler County GOP Chairman Todd Hall didn’t post anything online, but told the Journal-News, “I do believe that Speaker Householder should resign his speakership, at the bare minimum, as this legal matter runs its course. He should consider resigning his legislative seat as well.”
“We have seen such scandals in both parties, and at many levels of government,” Hall said. “While most political leaders I know are hardworking, honest people, these unfortunate breaches of trust continue to erode the public confidence in our political system.”
Here’s what others from southwest Ohio are saying:
What else can we do? Vote. Vote for people who reject corruption and stand to work for you, everyday Ohioans who work hard and want to believe that we elected officials have your best interest at heart. This is a sad day indeed. Vote.
— Rep. Jessica E. Miranda (@JessicaEMiranda) July 21, 2020
Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper, a Cincinnati native, recalls the last time an Ohio Speaker of the House was involved in an FBI probe.
And when I say it’s deja vu, I’m not talking a decade ago.
— David Pepper (@DavidPepper) July 22, 2020
These are all stories from the last two years(!)
When your basic culture is corrupt, it will keep rearing its ugly head...different topics, different perpetrators.
And it always takes outsiders to break it up. pic.twitter.com/A5IQGP4cHZ
Other statewide officeholders calling for Householder’s resignation include:
"Larry Householder sold out the people of Ohio in exchange for power and dirty money. The 81-page sworn affidavit filed today shows plainly he cannot be trusted to act in the public interest, or trusted with public authority."
— Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost (@OhioAG) July 21, 2020
AG Yost’s full statement ➡️ https://t.co/bMUV6anyvJ
The rule of law must always be followed.
— Robert Sprague (@RobertCSprague) July 21, 2020
Larry Householder owes it to Ohioans to resign immediately so the people's work in the House can proceed.
The allegations against Speaker Householder are serious and, if true, constitute a grave violation of the trust placed in him by the citizens of Ohio. As the legal process plays out, it is in the best interest of the House to pick a new leader. @HouseholderOH needs to resign.
— Keith Faber (@KeithFaber) July 21, 2020
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