COLUMBUS – Republicans, who hold a commanding majority in the Ohio House of Representatives, elected a new Speaker Wednesday after a weeks-long impasse and a marathon round of voting but that wasn’t the strains of “Kumbaya” heard at Broad and High.
It sounded more like “I Hate Myself For Loving You.”
Smith was unable to win the majority required to prevail in the first 10 rounds, instead winning on the 11th vote which, by House rules, went to whichever candidate had the most votes.
The vote solved the problem of a Speaker-less House but Democrats say the process only drew more attention to what they have repeatedly called dysfunction at the Statehouse.
“After 11 rounds of voting, Smith’s unremarkable ascendancy proves only one thing: The dark cloud of Republican scandal and FBI investigation still hangs heavy over the Ohio House,” said Democratic Rep. David Leland, of Columbus.
The crisis began when former Speaker Cliff Rosenberger resigned amid an FBI inquiry into his travel, his lavish lifestyle and a condo he rented from a wealthy GOP donor.
The race to fulfill Rosenberger’s unexpired term had led to a bitter standoff between Ryan and a faction led by former Speaker Larry Householder, also a Republican. Both want to be speaker next session. Householder didn’t run Wednesday but supported two Smith opponents.
Lawmaking in the state had been log-jammed for weeks due to the standoff because House rules require the chamber to have a Speaker before floor votes can be taken and the Speaker Pro-tem does not meet the requirement. Among measures stalled as a result are payday lending regulations, money for voting machines and a proposal that would streamline access to hunting and fishing licenses.
Democrats mostly supported their own caucus leader, Rep. Fred Strahorn, of Dayton, and drew attention to the fact only 44 of 98 sitting representatives supported Smith.
“I am hopeful that the chaos and dysfunction that has plagued this institution will fade, but the hard truth is there is still a cloud of uncertainty cast upon our work as alleged corruption and wrongdoing continues to be investigated,” Strahorn said.
In his acceptance speech, Smith says he was “fully aware” that divisions exist in the country, state and, in some cases, political parties. He says lawmakers are going to disagree, but they should do so while displaying “dignity, common decency and respect.”
Republican Rep. Robert Cupp, a former state Supreme Court justice, delivered an eloquent floor speech nominating Smith, who he said has the qualities needed to get the House past Rosenberger’s departure in April amid an FBI probe.
“Respectful, process-oriented, inclusive, accommodating, trustworthy and decisive, qualities we all value in a leader,” Cupp said. “This is what the lamp of experience has shown.”