OFCC PAC Endorsee Jon Husted chosen as next House speaker

The Associated Press is reporting today that majority Republicans in the Ohio House have selected Rep. Jon Husted of Kettering as speaker for the 2005-2006 legislative session.

Husted, 37, will succeed Speaker Larry Householder in January. Householder is leaving because of term limits.

The wire report says Husted, a former vice president of the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, is completing his second term in the House.

The Republican caucus on Tuesday also chose two-term Rep. Charles Blasdel of East Liverpool as speaker pro tempore.

The AP story reports the rest of the leadership team as Merle Grace Kearns of Springfield, majority leader; Larry Flowers of Canal Winchester, assistant majority leader; Kevin DeWine of Fairborn, majority whip, and Jim Carmichael of Wooster, assistant whip.

Every member of the new House leadership team is a two-time OFCC PAC endorsee.

In related news, the Dayton Daily News is reporting that Senate Republicans are scheduled to vote this morning on their leadership team.

The paper says State Sen. Bill Harris, R-Ashland, and state Sen. Steve Austria, R-Beavercreek, are running unopposed to the president and whip positions, respectively.

Sen. Jeff Jacobson, R-Butler Twp., who is the current whip, is running against Sen. Randy Gardner, R-Bowling Green, the current president pro tempore, for the No. 2 slot, president pro tempore.

Also according to the DDN, Sens. Jay Hottinger, R-Newark, and Robert Spada, R-North Royalton, are each running for the No. 3 slot, assistant president pro tempore.

Republicans hold 22 of 33 seats in the Senate.