'Moderate' Republican Jason Stephens snatches Ohio House Speaker position in surprise upset

[brooklynite]

Source: Ohio Capital Journal

Moderately conservative Republican Jason Stephens, with the help of the Democratic Party, snatched the coveted Ohio House Speaker job Tuesday from a far-right lawmaker who was already elected speaker in a non-official party vote.

In the surprise upset, Stephens, R-Kitts Hill, who is allegedly pledging to stop far-right policies and act as a full moderate, is chosen as one of the most significant and influential leaders in the state.

“I pledge to respect and to work with each and every one of you,” Stephens said in his acceptance speech.

But just a few weeks ago the GOP had another candidate in mind.

Read more: https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2023/01/04/moderate-republican-jason-stephens-snatches-ohio-house-speaker-position-in-surprise-upset/

[bucolic_frolic]

1. Speakerships require legitimacy

Partisan, but must listen to and negotiate with both sides, and follow the rules. It's not a place for scorched earth grounding.

[peppertree]

4. +1

As much as most of today's Repugs demand it be precisely that: scorched earth grounding (with lots of red-meat melodrama for the base).

[Diamond_Dog]

2. Wow - there's a surprise.

[GreenWave]

3. Let's hope so.

[mackdaddy]

5. I just hope that he does not take any bribes from First Energy like some of the last guys.

I don't have very high expectations for Repubs here in Ohio.

[True Blue American]

8. First Emergy.

I have no expectations for Republicans in Ohio, not as long as the DeWine thugs are in charge. DeWine was working on this before he came into office. I put him right beside Trump in corruption.

https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2022/06/23/firstenergy-fired-its-ceo-amid-bribery-scandal-but-let-him-keep-millions-documents-show/

[ColinC]

6. Second surprise after Pennsylvania

Starting to see a trend here 🤔

[rpannier]

7. Stephens is pro-union

and is not a member of one of those far reich crank right-to-life groups
So, he's a few steps above

[Maeve]

9. Ohio political news is often hard to follow (or swallow)--thanks for passing on GOOD news!