COLUMBUS, Ohio – As expected, Republicans in the Ohio House have selected Cliff Rosenberger, of Clarksville in southwest Ohio, as the next House speaker.
The GOP’s Senate caucus relected Keith Faber (R–Celina) to a second term as president.
Rep. Ron Amstutz, the House Finance chairman who had been one of Rosenberger’s potential rivals, was named Speaker Pro-Tempore.
Rosenberger replaces term-limited House Speaker Bill Batchelder.
Rosenberger and Amstutz merged their teams this summer, giving Rosenberger the apparent numeric edge in the caucus balloting.
Another group backed state Rep. Jim Butler, a Dayton-area conservative.
Republicans select the speaker because they hold a majority of votes in the House. Democrats elect their leadership team separately.