Ohio Senate Republicans keep Harris as President, select others to join team

The Ohio Senate Republican caucus unanimously selected Senate President Bill Harris (R-Ashland) to continue his leadership for the upcoming 128th General Assembly on Tuesday afternoon.

Harris will be joined in leadership by state Sen. Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond), who was selected as the chamber’s president pro tempore; Senator Keith Faber (R-Celina), who was voted majority floor leader, and Senator Mark Wagoner (R-Toledo), who was elected majority whip.  

All will officially assume these posts in January when the new session begins.

“This leadership team represents both experience and fresh ideas that will serve us well as we embark on what looks to be a very challenging session for the Ohio General Assembly,” Harris said. “As the political landscape has changed, we will work to find common ground on the issues that will move our state forward, regardless of political party. However, we believe that in tough economic times like these, taxes and spending must both be kept in check. On that we will not compromise.”

 Harris has served as Senate president since 2006, and previously served as the chairman of the Senate Finance & Financial Institutions Committee. Prior to his appointment to the Ohio Senate in August of 2000, Harris served in the Ohio House from 1995 to 2000, rising to the ranks of majority whip and assistant majority whip.

Niehaus has served as majority floor leader since January and was selected Tuesday by his fellow Republican Senators to serve as president pro tempore for the next two years. During his time in the Senate, he has also held leadership roles as a member of the Senate Finance & Financial Institutions Committee and as chairman of the Senate Energy, Environment & Natural Resources Committee.

Faber served in the Ohio House for six years and was appointed to the Ohio Senate in January of 2007 to fill a vacancy left when his predecessor, U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Urbana), was elected to Congress. He won election to 12th Senate District seat this past November. In the Senate, he has served as vice chair of the Senate Insurance, Commerce & Labor Committee, chairman of the Regulatory Reform Task Force and as a member of the influential Senate Finance & Financial Institutions Committee.

Wagoner was appointed to the Ohio’s 2nd Senate District in January to fill a vacancy, and was officially elected to represent the district on Election Day. Prior to that, he served two terms in the Ohio House of Representatives. In the Senate, Wagoner has served on the Senate Finance & Financial Institutions Committee and as vice chair of the Senate Health, Human Services & Aging Committee.