Buckeye Firearms Assoc. endorsees dominate leadership positions in State House & Senate majority caucuses

Senate President and House Speaker are both BFA "A+" - rated

by Chad D. Baus

Buckeye Firearms Association endorsees have been elected by both House and Senate Republicans to a majority of leadership positions in their respective chambers for the 130th General Assembly, which convenes in January.

In the Senate, Republicans have elected BFA "A+" -rated Sen. Keith Faber of Celina as Senate President. Faber has held other leadership positions in the Senate, and is a former endorsee of this political action committee.

Other Republicans elected to leadership positions are "A" -rated Sens. Chris Widener of Springfield, president pro tempore; Tom Patton of Strongsville, majority floor leader; Larry Obhof of Medina, majority whip - all are also former endorsees of Buckeye Firearms Association.

Sen. Faber will succeed Senate President Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond), who is leaving the legislature at the end of the year due to term limits.

In the House, Republicans reelected "A+" -rated Speaker Bill Batchelder to lead the caucus, and retained all of the leadership team who are returning next year.

"A" -rated Reps. Matt Huffman (R-Lima) will serve as pro tem, Barbara Sears (R-Sylvania) as majority leader, John Adams (R-Sidney) as assistant majority floor leader, Cheryl Grossman (R-Grove City) as majority whip and Jim Buchy (R-Greenville) as assistant majority whip. All are former BFA-endorsees.

On the Democrats' side, with a couple of exceptions, caucus leaders in the House and Senate are much less friendly to gun owners.

Whereas in the 128th General Assembly a majority of the Senate Democrat's caucus was pro-gun, leadership chosen for the 130th General Assemblies are much less friendly to gun owners, mirroring last session.

BFA "D" -rated State Sen. Eric Kearney of Cincinnati will remain the minority leader in the Senate. Re-joining Kearney on the Senate leadership team are "C" -rated Sen. Joe Schiavoni of Boardman, "D" -rated Sens. Nina Turner of Cleveland and Edna Brown of Toledo.

In the House, the Democrats' leadership is a bit more mixed when it comes to gun rights. "D" -rated state Rep. Armond Budish of Beachwood will once again lead the caucus. Democrats also re-elected "B" -rated Rep. Matt Szollosi of Toledo, "F" -rated Tracy Maxwell Heard of Columbus and "A" -rated Debbie Phillips of Albany to its leadership.

Gun owners are encouraged to contact these Senators, congratulate them on their appointments, and express your hope that pro-gun legislation will take center stage in the 130th General Assembly.

Chad D. Baus is the Buckeye Firearms Association Vice Chairman.