In November 2022, just after the election, Ohio House Republicans met as a full caucus. This has been done as one current house member told me, "forever". This is where a new Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives is selected.
The longest serving member runs the caucus as its "Dean". This year it was Bill Dean (pun unintended). Bill laid out the process, but it has also been done this way for a long time. My sources called it the "historical" way a speaker is selected.
Since there were 3 candidates (Phil Plummer, Derek Merrin, and Jason Stephens) there would be 2 rounds of voting. In the first round, the lowest vote-getter would be dropped from consideration. Merrin won on the 2nd ballot, there were no objections in the meeting from anyone in the caucus, so Merrin assumed the title of "Speaker Designee".
As is customary, the entire caucus was invited to go celebrate. Many Stephens supporters went to the celebration. It's intent is to show unity & build camaraderie.
Between that day and January 3rd, the first session of the new General Assembly, the Stephens people (now known as the "Blue 22") never expressed any concerns. If they had, they could have called for another caucus & asked to hold a "no confidence" vote to replace Merrin. This did not occur.
The two main instigators here were Stephens & Jay Edwards. They were described as being/having "sour grapes". Instead of fighting Merrin transparently & professionally, and also honestly and with integrity, they went behind the backs of fellow Republicans and cut a deal with Democrats. The rest of the Republican caucus had no idea this had happened until the matter was on the Ohio House floor on January 3rd. They felt betrayed and backstabbed.
In my opinion, this is why every one of the "Blue 22", and a few more, need to be primaried & beaten, never to return to elected office ever again.
- Mark Pukita, on Facebook, October 17, 2023
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