Amid GOP infighting, judge strips Ohio House speaker of control over Republican caucus campaign fund

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A county judge stripped Republican Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens of his control over the GOP caucus’ campaign fund on Friday, escalating intraparty tensions in the chamber headed into November’s election.

Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Mark Serrott issued his preliminary injunction from the bench in a lawsuit filed against Stephens in October by a rival GOP contingent. The dispute was prompted by Stephens, a fellow conservative, relying on the combined votes of all House Democrats and just a minority of House Republicans to win the speakership.

Serrott said the faction representing a majority of the House Republican caucus should make decisions about the fund, since majorities rule in a democracy, in order to comply with state law.

Stephens vowed to swiftly appeal.

“It is imperative for the integrity of the institution of the Ohio House of Representatives that control of the campaign committee not be able to be leveraged against the highest elected official in the House on a whim,” he said in a statement. “The decision potentially sets a concerning precedent that any member at any time an call a vote that undermines the control of the campaign funds.”

In their lawsuit, Republican state Reps. Derek Merrin, Phil Plummer and Ron Ferguson pointed out that Merrin was chosen by a majority of House Republicans as leader of the campaign fund, named the Ohio House Republican Alliance, in a closed-door vote last year. Therefore, he leads the alliance and has authority over distributing its funds, they told the court.

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