Ryan Smith (Ohio politician)

Ryan Smith
103rd Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives
Assumed office
June 6, 2018
Preceded by Kirk Schuring (Acting)
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the 93rd district
Assumed office
April 18, 2012
Preceded by Philip H. Rose
Personal details
Born (1973-02-23) February 23, 1973
Gallipolis, Ohio, U.S.
Political party Republican
Education Ohio State University, Columbus (BS)

Ryan Smith (born February 23, 1973) is a Republican member of the Ohio House of Representatives, serving the 93rd District since his appointment in 2012. On June 6, 2018 he was named Speaker of the House. His district includes all of Gallia and Jackson counties as well as much of Lawrence and Vinton counties. Smith also serves as the Chairman of the House Finance Committee, often the most powerful chairmanship in the Ohio House.[1]

Life and career

Smith graduated from Ohio State University with a B.S. in Finance in 1995. He is a financial consultant, partner and vice president at Smith Financial Advisors of Hilliard Lyons.

In 2007, Smith opted to run for the Gallipolis City School Board of Education, and won. He would win reelection to his seat in 2011. He is married to his wife, Vicki, and together they have four children.

House of Representatives

In late 2011, Representative John Carey resigned to take a position at Shawnee State University. Soon after, Smith announced his candidacy for the seat for the 2012 election. He faced two others in a primary election, and Philip H. Rose was appointed to the seat as a placeholder until a winner could be decided. Smith ultimately won the primary by 62 votes. In the general election held on November 6, 2012, Smith defeated Democratic candidate Josh Bailey with 64.2% of the vote.[2][3]

In 2014, Smith easily won re-election over Democrat Josh Bailey with over 70% of the vote. He is serving as Chairman of the House Finance Committee for the 131st Ohio General Assembly,[4] and is tasked with carrying the state biennium budget.[5]

After Speaker Cliff Rosenberger resigned on April 12, 2018 Smith announced that he would run for Speaker. During the race for Speaker while he had the most support, though he was never believed to have the necessary majority to be elected speaker. This caused Speaker Pro-Tempore Kirk Schuring to cancel House Session on multiple occasions, to give Smith more time to get the votes that he needed and try to bridge the Republican caucus divide. In June Schuring put forward two options to the House in a straw poll, either they could hold a vote for speaker or they could amend House rules to allow the Speaker Pro Tempore to continue through the rest of the year. A majority of House members decided that a vote should be held. On June 6, 2018 the vote for speaker was held during House session. The nominees where Rep. Ryan Smith, Rep. Andy Thompson, Rep. Jim Hughes, and Rep. Fred Strahorn. House rules required that a nominee receive a majority of the votes of those present for the vote, or after 10 votes if no nominee has received a majority then on the 11th vote the nominee with the plurality will be named Speaker. 7 Representatives were absent for the vote bringing the required majority from 50 down to 46. Smith was elected on the 11th vote by plurality, receiving 44 votes (his vote count remained the same and never changed over all 11 rounds).

Committee assignments

Electoral history

Election results
Year Office Election Votes for Smith % Opponent Party Votes %
2012 Ohio House of Representatives General 29,215 64.37% Josh Bailey Democrat 15,290 35.73%
2014 General 18,925 70.07% Josh Bailey Democrat 8,082 29.93%

References

  1. ↑ "Rep. Smith appointed chairman of House Finance". Columbus Dispatch. Columbus. 2015-01-06. Retrieved 2015-01-07.
  2. ↑ "2012 primary election results". Ohio Secretary of State. 2012-03-04. Retrieved 2012-04-26.
  3. ↑ "Ohio - Summary Vote Results". Retrieved 10 May 2014.
  4. ↑ "Rep. Smith appointed chairman of House Finance". Columbus Dispatch. Columbus. 2015-01-06. Retrieved 2015-01-07.
  5. ↑ Legislation: Ohio House Bill 64 – Biennial Budget. Innovation Ohio.
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