By FARNOUSH AMIRI Report for America/Associated Press, and staff
COLUMBUS – Republican lawmakers have chosen former state Supreme Court justice and current Rep. Bob Cupp to lead the Ohio House, replacing the speaker ousted amid a scandal.
House members voted in favor of the veteran lawmaker from Lima on Thursday.
“I congratulate Bob Cupp upon his election as the new Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives. Speaker Cupp is a man of integrity who will serve Ohio well. I look forward to working with Speaker Cupp and Senate President [Larry] Obhof in the days ahead.” -Gov. Mike DeWine
It came hours after their historic, unanimous vote to remove Rep. Larry Householder as speaker because he was indicted in an alleged $60 million bribery scheme.
His colleagues believe the soft-spoken Cupp will bring the chamber what Householder could not: unity.
It won’t be an easy road for the new speaker. None of the Democrats in the chamber voted for him.
“We don’t trust any of them,” was the terse statement delivered by Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes (D-Akron) following the vote.
Householder’s No. 2, Speaker Pro Tempore Rep. Jim Butler, also was a potential candidate to become speaker.
Three other lawmakers, including Genoa Township’s Rick Carfagna, withdrew from contention and supported Cupp.