Larry Householder
Larry Householder | |
---|---|
Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives | |
In office January 7, 2019 – July 30, 2020 | |
Preceded by | Ryan Smith |
Succeeded by | Robert R. Cupp |
In office January 3, 2001 – December 31, 2004 | |
Preceded by | Jo Ann Davidson |
Succeeded by | Jon Husted |
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives | |
In office January 3, 2017 – June 16, 2021 | |
Preceded by | Bill Hayes |
Succeeded by | Kevin D. Miller |
Constituency | 72nd district |
In office January 3, 2003 – December 31, 2004 | |
Preceded by | Joseph Sulzer |
Succeeded by | Ron Hood |
Constituency | 91st district |
In office January 3, 1997 – December 31, 2002 | |
Preceded by | Mary Abel |
Succeeded by | Derrick Seaver |
Constituency | 78th district |
Personal details | |
Born | Larry Lee Householder June 6, 1959 Zanesville, Ohio, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Education | Ohio University (BA) |
Larry Lee Householder (born June 6, 1959)[1] is an American politician who was the state representative for Ohio's 72nd district and was a two-time Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives. He is a member of the Republican Party. Householder represented the same district from 1997 to 2004, including as speaker from 2001 to 2004. In 2016, he was elected to the Statehouse again and on January 7, 2019, he was selected to serve again as speaker. His district included Coshocton and Perry counties, as well as about half of Licking County.
On July 21, 2020, the FBI arrested Householder on federal RICO charges.[2][3][4] The charges allege that his return to politics in 2016 was part of a criminal conspiracy.[3] The Ohio House of Representatives unanimously removed Householder as speaker on July 30.[5] In November 2020, Householder won reelection to his seat in the Ohio House of Representatives, but he was expelled from the House on June 16, 2021.
Early life and education
Born in Zanesville, Ohio, Householder was raised in Junction City, Ohio, where he worked on his family's farm.[1][6] He then attended Ohio University, earning a degree in political science.[7] He is married with five children.[citation needed]
Career
Householder ran an insurance agency and served as Perry County commissioner before seeking higher office.
Ohio House of Representatives
1997–2004
In 1996, he ran for Ohio's 78th House district, challenging incumbent Democrat Mary Abel of Athens.[8] Householder defeated Abel with 55.03% of the vote. He was reelected three times.[8]
In 1998, Householder was elected to serve as assistant majority whip.[9] In 2001, he was elected to serve as Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, the highest post in the House.[10] He served two terms as speaker, during which he led major legislative reforms, including introducing concealed carry, passing tort reform and defunding Planned Parenthood—making Ohio the first state to do so.[11]
In 2004, Householder and several top advisers were investigated for alleged money laundering and irregular campaign practices. The government closed the case without filing charges.[12] He was term-limited in 2004.[13] Householder later served as a Perry County Auditor.[14]
2017–2021
When incumbent state Representative Bill Hayes ran for Licking County prosecutor in 2016, Householder ran for his old seat, renamed District 72 after redistricting.[15] Householder defeated Cliff N. Biggers in the Republican primary with almost 64% of the vote. He won the general election against Democrat John Carlisle with 72% of the vote.[16] A former Speaker, Householder became a freshman legislator along with former President of the Ohio Senate Keith Faber.[17] On January 7, 2019, a bipartisan majority of legislators elected him to serve again as speaker of the Ohio House.[18]
Library programming controversy
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In May 2019, Householder criticized the Ohio Library Council and the Newark Library in Licking County for providing an event for teens in the LGBTQ community at the taxpayers' expense. In response, the Newark Ohio Pride Coalition issued a formal statement noting that their organization paid for the event with a non-governmental grant.[19] Later that evening, the Newark Library canceled the event.[20] The Newark Ohio Pride Coalition found a new location for it.[21]
After his arrest for racketeering in 2020, the event organizers publicly asked Householder to reflect upon his own advice about being a good steward of public money.[22]
Arrest
On July 21, 2020, the FBI arrested Householder and four others in connection with a $60 million bribery case involving the financial rescue of First Energy's two nuclear plants in Ohio, Davis–Besse and Perry. U.S. Attorney David M. DeVillers called it "likely the largest bribery scheme ever perpetrated against the state of Ohio".[23][24][25] During a July 21 press briefing, DeVillers said that money from First Energy was filtered through a fake nonprofit organization to pay for bribes and evade campaign finance laws.[3]
Following DeVillers's press conference, Republican Governor Mike DeWine asked Householder to resign.[26] Later that day, Householder released a statement to the press saying he would not resign.[27]
On July 30, 2020, the Ohio House of Representatives voted unanimously to remove Householder as Ohio House Speaker .[28]
On June 16, 2021 the House voted to expel Householder by a bipartisan vote of 75–21.[28][29][30]
Personal life
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References
- ^ a b "Sir Knight Larry Householder: Buckeye State Speaker of the House". Knights Templar. June 2002. p. 18. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
- ^ "Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder arrested in $60 million bribery case". usastoday.com. USAToday. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder arrested; U.S. Attorney, FBI announce charges related to $60 mi". WCMH NBC 4 Columbus. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
- ^ "Larry Householder, 4 others face racketeering conspiracy charges in federal court". daytondailynews.com. Dayton Daily News. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
- ^ Tobias, Andrew J. (July 30, 2020). "Ohio House votes to remove Larry Householder as Ohio Speaker following corruption arrest". cleveland.
- ^ Siegel, Jim (July 2, 2017). "Big personalities, bigger caucus pose challenges for Ohio House Speaker". Canton Repository. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
- ^ Ingles, Jo (January 2, 2017). "Ohio's House Speaker Worries Term Limits Will Decrease Experienced Lawmakers in 2017". WKSU. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
- ^ a b Linfante, Austin (October 25, 2016). "For the 94th District race, it's Grace's historical precedent versus Edwards' hometown geography". The New Political.
- ^ "Ohio House of Representatives: November 3, 1998 – Ohio Secretary of State". www.sos.state.oh.us.
- ^ "The Blade". The Blade.
- ^ "Cincinnati Enquirer". Cincinnati.com.
- ^ Snyder, Kate; Thompson, Chrissie (April 19, 2018). "Householder files lawsuit over negative advertising". Zanesville Times Recorder. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
- ^ Suddes, Thomas (September 6, 2015). "Larry Householder's possible second act, Mount Denali follies: Thomas Suddes". cleveland.com.
- ^ "The Buckeye Lake Beacon". The Buckeye Lake Beacon.
- ^ "Ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder running for old seat". The Columbus Dispatch. December 16, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
- ^ "Larry Householder's possible second act, Mount Denali follies: Thomas Suddes". September 6, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
- ^ "Ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder eyeing old seat". The Washington Times. November 30, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2017.
- ^ "Larry Householder Again Elected Speaker of the Ohio House". Retrieved January 6, 2019.
- ^ Taylor March 6, 2019, Jeff. "Ohio Library Cancels Pride Event After Republican House Speaker Complains". LOGO News.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Ohio House Speaker criticizes Licking County Library's LGBTQ event; library cancels". WBNS-TV. Associated Press. June 1, 2019. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
- ^ McDonald, Craig. "Canceled LGBTQ teen event back on, moves to Newark's Denison Art Space". The Newark Advocate.
- ^ "Column: Householder's criticism of Pride event applies better to himself".
- ^ Rouan, Rick; Ludlow, Randy (July 21, 2020). "Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder arrested in $60 million bribery case". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
- ^ Coolidge, Sharon; Horn, Dan; Balmert, Jessie (July 21, 2020). "Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder arrested in $60 million bribery case". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
- ^ Smyth, Julie Carr; Seewer, John (July 21, 2020). "Ohio House speaker, 4 others arrested in $60M bribery case". news.yahoo.com. Associated Press. Retrieved July 21, 2020.
- ^ "DeWine Calls on Householder to Resign Following Bribery Allegations". WCMH-TV NBC 4 Columbus. July 21, 2020. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
- ^ Pelzer, Jeremy (July 21, 2020). "House Speaker Larry Householder says he won't resign despite arrest". www.msn.com. The Plain Dealer. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
- ^ a b "Ohio House votes to remove Larry Householder as Ohio Speaker following corruption arrest". July 30, 2020.
- ^ Pelzer, Jeremy; clevel; .com (June 16, 2021). "Larry Householder expelled from Ohio House amid bribery charge". cleveland. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
- ^ "House Resolution 69 | The Ohio Legislature". www.legislature.ohio.gov. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
External links
- Ohio State Representative Larry Householder official site
- 1959 births
- 21st-century American politicians
- County auditors in the United States
- County commissioners in Ohio
- Living people
- Ohio University alumni
- People expelled from United States state legislatures
- People from Perry County, Ohio
- Speakers of the Ohio House of Representatives
- Republican Party members of the Ohio House of Representatives