Current:Home > FinanceAmid GOP infighting, judge strips Ohio House speaker of control over Republican caucus campaign fund -NextFrontier Finance
Amid GOP infighting, judge strips Ohio House speaker of control over Republican caucus campaign fund
View
Date:2025-04-16 15:12:53
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A county judge stripped Republican Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens of his control over the GOP caucus’ campaign fund on Friday, escalating intraparty tensions in the chamber headed into November’s election.
Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Mark Serrott issued his preliminary injunction from the bench in a lawsuit filed against Stephens in October by a rival GOP contingent. The dispute was prompted by Stephens, a fellow conservative, relying on the combined votes of all House Democrats and just a minority of House Republicans to win the speakership.
Serrott said the faction representing a majority of the House Republican caucus should make decisions about the fund, since majorities rule in a democracy, in order to comply with state law.
Stephens vowed to swiftly appeal.
“It is imperative for the integrity of the institution of the Ohio House of Representatives that control of the campaign committee not be able to be leveraged against the highest elected official in the House on a whim,” he said in a statement. “The decision potentially sets a concerning precedent that any member at any time an call a vote that undermines the control of the campaign funds.”
In their lawsuit, Republican state Reps. Derek Merrin, Phil Plummer and Ron Ferguson pointed out that Merrin was chosen by a majority of House Republicans as leader of the campaign fund, named the Ohio House Republican Alliance, in a closed-door vote last year. Therefore, he leads the alliance and has authority over distributing its funds, they told the court.
Merrin had earned the provisional nod of the caucus to become speaker, before Stephens’ surprise win. Merrin is now a Trump-endorsed candidate for Congress in Ohio’s 9th District, facing long-time Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur in November.
Stephens has so far controlled the campaign fund, as has been longstanding tradition for the speaker. The fund raised and spent about $4.7 million since last year, according to campaign finance reports. It waged ad campaigns against Republicans who ran against Stephens supporters and others allied with the Merrin camp in this year’s primaries. All but four of his allies won their primaries, setting him up to retain the votes to remain speaker next year.
The rival camp is friendly with Senate President Matt Huffman, a term-limited Republican who is running to return to the House and then to try to defeat Stephens for the speakership next year.
All the infighting has stymied lawmaking in Ohio since last year, as disagreements, impasses and general confusion have led to one of the least productive legislative sessions on record. Republican Gov. Mike DeWine has twice tried to use his influence to spur legislative deal-making — once on recreational marijuana implementation, once on a ballot snag impacting President Joe Biden’s place on the state ballot. Both efforts failed.
veryGood! (333)
Related
- New data highlights 'achievement gap' for students in the US
- Warming Trends: The Top Plastic Polluter, Mother-Daughter Climate Talk and a Zero-Waste Holiday
- In a Warming World, Hurricanes Weaken More Slowly After They Hit Land
- RHOA's Marlo Finally Confronts Kandi Over Reaction to Her Nephew's Murder in Explosive Sneak Peek
- Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
- Orlando officer fatally shoots man who made quick movement during traffic stop
- Judge Orders Dakota Access Pipeline Spill Response Plan, with Tribe’s Input
- Amy Schumer Reveals the Real Reason She Dropped Out of Barbie Movie
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- Man fishing with his son drowns after rescuing 2 other children swimming at Pennsylvania state park
Ranking
- DeepSeek: Did a little known Chinese startup cause a 'Sputnik moment' for AI?
- Mattel's new live-action “Barney” movie will lean into adults’ “millennial angst,” producer says
- Entourage's Adrian Grenier Welcomes First Baby With Wife Jordan
- RHOC's Tamra Judge Reveals Where She and Shannon Beador Stand After Huge Reconciliation Fight
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Annual Report Card Marks Another Disastrous Year for the Arctic
- The BET Award Nominations 2023 Are Finally Here: See the Full List
- Kelis and Bill Murray Are Sparking Romance Rumors and the Internet Is Totally Shaken Up
Recommendation
Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
The Supreme Court Sidesteps a Full Climate Change Ruling, Handing Industry a Procedural Win
Judge Clears Exxon in Investor Fraud Case Over Climate Risk Disclosure
Anna Marie Tendler Reflects on Her Mental Health “Breakdown” Amid Divorce From John Mulaney
Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
How Gender-Free Clothes & Accessories From Stuzo Clothing Will Redefine Your Closet
The story behind the flag that inspired The Star-Spangled Banner
Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez, Robert De Niro's grandson, dies at age 19