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Jason Stephens (politician)

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Jason Stephens
106th Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives
Assumed office
January 3, 2023
Preceded byRobert R. Cupp
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the 93rd district
Assumed office
October 10, 2019
Preceded byRyan Smith
Personal details
Born1971 (age 52–53)
Political partyRepublican
EducationLipscomb University (BS)

Jason C. Stephens is an American Republican politician who became the Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives on January 3, 2023.[1][2] He has been the representative for the 93rd district since October 10, 2019, taking the seat after Ryan Smith left the House to become president of the University of Rio Grande.[3]

Political career

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Stephens's election to Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives was an unexpected result, as he defeated far right Derek Merrin.[4][5][6] Stephens was able to secure election to the Speakership by receiving the votes of all of the Democratic caucus along with a third of the Republicans, even though he had previously lost an internal GOP caucus vote for leader.[7] Democratic Leader Allison Russo noted that the selection of Stephens did not come with a "grand deal" but that the Stephens would work with her caucus on items ranging from education policy to redistricting.[8]

In 2023, Stephens voted for legislation to ban gender-affirming medical care for minors and ban transgender athletes from competing in women's sports. The legislation was vetoed by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, who argued that medical care should be left to families and their doctors, not be dictated by the government.[9]

References

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  1. ^ "Jason C. Stephens Sworn in to Serve 93rd House District". Newark Advocate. October 10, 2019. Archived from the original on May 28, 2021.
  2. ^ "Representative Jason Stephens". OhioHouse.gov.
  3. ^ Ingles, Jo (September 26, 2019). "Former Leader of the Ohio House Resigns". Statehouse News Bureau.
  4. ^ "'Moderate' Republican Jason Stephens snatches Ohio House Speaker position in surprise upset". News 5 Cleveland WEWS. January 4, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  5. ^ Trau, Morgan (January 4, 2023). "'Moderate' Republican Jason Stephens snatches Ohio House Speaker position in surprise upset". Ohio Capital Journal. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  6. ^ Pelzer, Jeremy (January 3, 2023). "Republican Jason Stephens elected Ohio House speaker thanks to Democratic support". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  7. ^ Pelzer, Jeremy (January 5, 2023). "Here's how Jason Stephens was elected Ohio House Speaker". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  8. ^ Staver, Anna (January 4, 2023). "Who is Jason Stephens? The new Republican Speaker of the Ohio House". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  9. ^ Hancock, Laura; Pelzer, Jeremy (December 29, 2023). "Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine vetoes bill that would ban transgender health care for minors, athletes in women's sports". cleveland.
Political offices
Preceded by Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives
2023–present
Incumbent