Ohio Republican infighting stalls legislation, changes could come

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Republican infighting has stalled several pieces of legislation and led to one of the messiest primary elections lawmakers and experts say they have seen in decades.

With primary elections in the rearview mirror, some changes could come, and some legislation might move forward.

“Hang onto your seatbelts, it is going to be a wild ride in the Ohio House,” Democratic Strategist Brian Rothenberg said.

The Republican infighting is between House Republicans and also between chambers.

“I really hope they solve their family feud and figure out all of the barriers to getting things done so that we can get things done,” Ohio Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) said.

Because of the “family feud,” several incumbents had primary challengers; four of them lost.

“I don’t think that changes anything,” DeWine said. “I think we have a big task ahead of us still in the legislature, marijuana needs to be dealt with, Delta 8 needs to be dealt with, we have a capital bill that needs to get passed. So, we have a lot of things to do.”

But the four lost seats could open the door to new leadership in the Ohio House next year. Current speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) will likely face off against current Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima).

In theory, Stephens has the votes to keep his title, but experts say the path is not clear for either leader.

“It just wasn’t enough, it wasn’t enough of a landslide for Huffman to claim that he is going to be able to take over the whole thing,” Rothenberg said. “Stephens has less of a stranglehold in being able to maintain that, so it’s not clear with either of them.”

In a statement, Stephens said they are "in a strong position” to expand the Republican majority in the House.

Stephens was elected because Democrats teamed up with 22 Republicans to do so. Some Republican house members said that they stand by that, because Stephens was the best fit for the job and has proven so this past year.

“I certainly am committed to making sure, whether it’s me or anyone else, that whoever is elected speaker is elected by the majority of the majority caucus,” Huffman said.

“Counting votes is often a moving target so I think it would be incredibly naive to count votes now,” Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) said.

But because of the infighting, several bills have been stalled and weaponized. For example, Senate Bill 83, a higher education overhaul bill, has been stalled in the House.

“The House continues to focus on good policy our members can proudly talk about to their constituents back home,” Stephens said in a statement. “We will see where the legislation stands when members return now that the primary season is over.”

If Huffman is speaker next year, that bill would likely get through each chamber a lot quicker. Huffman said if the house does not pass it this year, should he become speaker, they likely would not make as many concessions on it.

A massive spending bill is being also being stalled, that one by the senate.

“I think most legislators are going to be able to sit down and get these things worked out,” Huffman said. “Some more contentious issues maybe not, but spending $850 million, usually you can get agreement on that.”