COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio House of Representatives elected Rep. Jason Stephens (R-Kitt Hill) as the new House speaker, beating Rep. Derek Merrin (R-Moncolva Twp.) 54-43 in an unexpected win after the House Republican caucus selected Merrin for the position in November.
State democrats played a significant role in supporting Stephens through his win after both representatives were nominated for the seat during the general assembly Tuesday.
Rep. Sara Carruthers (R-Hamilton) nominated Stephens and highlighted the opportunity "to ensure stability for the people's house with a speaker who places others before himself."
"He often says his top priority is helping other people succeed," Carruthers said. "I have seen it and he means it. I don't believe I've ever heard Jason say a nasty word about anybody."
Stephens' election is the third time the seat has changed hands since 2020. He succeeds speaker Robert Cupp (R-Lima), who was elected to the position in 2020 after speaker Larry Householder was removed following his arrest on federal bribery charges.
"The Ohio House has seen a lot of transition and change in the last few years," Stephens said after being sworn in. "But with this new year, I encourage all of us to focus on what unites us. Whether we represent a district in the city or country, or a district along the Ohio river or Lake Erie or anywhere in between, we all have the responsibility to serve the people of Ohio."
Merrin is barred from running for another term for the statehouse and has yet to announce future plans for office.
WTOL 11 reached out to Merrin for comment Tuesday afternoon but has not received a response.