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Candidates To Replace Ousted Former Ohio Speaker Include His Son

Former Rep. Larry Householder (R-Glenford) speaks to reporters after his expulsion from the Ohio House on June 16, 2021.
Karen Kasler
Former Rep. Larry Householder (R-Glenford) speaks to reporters after his expulsion from the Ohio House on June 16, 2021.

Nearly two dozen people have applied to fill the seat vacated when the Ohio House voted last week to kick out Republican Larry Householder, who had already been ousted as Speaker last summer. And the list includes one very familiar name.

Nineteen people sent in resumes to Republican Speaker Bob Cupp (R-Lima) by Wednesday's deadline. Cupp will choose former Rep. Larry Householder’s replacement for the 72nd District seat in Coshocton, Licking and Perry Counties.

One candidate expressed interest but didn't send in a resume.

Among those who’ve applied: former Coshocton County commissioner Grant Daugherty, Coshocton City Councilman Glenn Mishler, Somerset Village Council President David Snider, St. Alban’s Township (Licking County) Trustee Randal Almendinger, Monroe Township Trustee (Perry County) Travis Post, and Perry County Commissioner Derek Householder – who’d take the seat his father occupied a week ago. The younger Householder was first elected to the commission last fall, through a campaign that received funding from his father's allies.

Other candidates include Kevin Black, who ran against Householder in 2018 in an expensive Republican primary that included one of the most memorable TV ads in recent memory - a commercial featuring Householder in camouflage in a field shooting at a television.

The list also includes two write-in candidates who ran against Householder last fall: Robert Leist, a Libertarian, and Marci McCaulay,a Democrat.

Also in the group: Brittany Misner, Lakewood Local School District board president andvice president of the Licking County Chamber of Commerce; and Ohio State Highway Patrol Staff Lt. Kevin Miller.

Several political newcomers have also applied:

  • Ryan Rantz
  • Patrick Simpson
  • Tyler Maple
  • Melinda Henderson Bradley
  • Rozland McKee
  • Zoey Stenson
  • Justin Martin
  • Kevin Black
  • Sherry Truex (who didn't send in a resume)

That political "rookies" list includes sports talk host and satirist Chris McNeil, who masterminded the parade for the Cleveland Browns’ 0-16 perfect season in 2018.

Screening interviews are expected to start right away.

Copyright 2021 The Statehouse News Bureau

Contact Karen at 614/578-6375 or at kkasler@statehousenews.org.