Unexpected Twist for the 135th: A ‘Majority GOP Caucus’

As previously reported, Ohio’s 135th General Assembly got underway last week with Rep. Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) elected speaker of the Ohio House — the result of 22 of 67 Republicans voting with the House’s 32 Democrats.

The vote surprised and angered supporters of Rep. Derek Merrin (R-Monclova Township), who just weeks before had been unofficially selected by House Republicans to be the next speaker.

This week, the rift between House Republicans grew following a meeting of Merrin and his supporters, who declared they are the “Republican Majority Caucus” and will be united in pushing conservative policy. Read reports by The Plain Dealer and The Columbus Dispatch. 1/12/2023