A schism within Ohio’s House Republicans continues to widen as a rival GOP-contingent has filed a lawsuit against House Speaker Jason Stephens to seize control of over $1 million in campaign funds. State Rep. Derek Merrin, along with fellow Republicans Phil Plummer and Ron Ferguson, argue in the lawsuit that Merrin is the rightful leader of the Ohio House Republican Alliance and should have authority over distributing its funds.
The lawsuit is the latest development in a year-long saga of infighting among the GOP-supermajority in the legislative chamber. Merrin and his supporters claim that a closed-door vote by the majority of the House Republican caucus earlier this year established Merrin as the leader of the alliance. They argue that as the leader, he should have control over the funds, which are expected to grow as the campaign season ramps up.
Supporters of Stephens, however, note that traditionally, the speaker is the leader of the party caucus. Legal experts have pointed out that Ohio law does not explicitly require the speaker and caucus leader to be the same person. The plaintiffs are also seeking nearly $400,000 in reimbursements and damages, alleging that Stephens reneged on a deal for Plummer and another supporter, GOP Rep. Jeff LaRe, to co-chair the alliance.
The lawsuit claims that Stephens and LaRe hired staff and discussed funding House candidate campaigns without involving Plummer. In response, Stephens and LaRe dismissed the lawsuit as “nothing more than the desperate antics of a handful of self-promoting individuals,” diverting attention from the real work being done to support Ohioans and the Republican Party.
Rumblings of a lawsuit against Stephens have been circulating since January when Stephens secured the leadership seat with unexpected Democratic support. This outcome came as a shock to Merrin, who was believed to be the frontrunner for the position after an informal vote in late 2022. The public feud between Merrin and Stephens subsided during the state budget process but is now reigniting.
Moreover, Stephens may face another challenge to his position soon. GOP Senate President Matt Huffman, who is term-limited in his Senate seat, has openly expressed his intention to vie for the speakership when he runs for the House next year. Huffman has been garnering support from Stephens’ rivals in the House, and losing control of the alliance and its funds could significantly weaken Stephens’ chances of retaining his leadership role.
The ongoing infighting within Ohio’s House Republicans highlights the deep divisions within the party and the power struggles for control over campaign funds. As the lawsuit unfolds, the outcome could have significant implications for the future direction of the party and its leadership in Ohio’s legislative chamber.
