COLUMBUS, Ohio — Representative Robert Cupp (R-Lima) was greeted by a standing ovation of House Republicans after receiving all but two votes from his own party to become Speaker of the House.
“I Robert R. Cupp do solemly swear,” said Cupp, as he was sworn in.
Cupp took the oath of office, and then the gavel from Speaker Pro Tempore Jim Butler.
He says he is grateful for the opportunity to serve in this difficult time.
“I take my responsibilities humbly and will work hard and will obviously consult a wide range of people as our next step forward,” said Cupp.
Cupp says one thing is for sure — the first legislative step will address House Bill 6, the bill at the center of the controversy surrounding his predecessor, Larry Householder.
“There’s been several bills introduced to repeal that. There’s interest also in taking a look into replacing it,” he said.
Cupp has served in all three branches of government at both the local and state levels and it is his experience his peers, like Representative Craig Riedel (R-Defiance), say won them over.
“By throwing our support behind Bob, that it would just again speed up the whole process of bringing unity and this whole healing process,” said Riedel.
Earlier Thursday morning, the House made the decision to remove Larry Householder as House Speaker.
“Representative Koehler. Yes. Representative Lanese. Yes.”
“90 affirmative votes. No negative votes.”
“With the vote of 90 affirmative votes and no negative votes, the motion is agreed to (gavel).”
Earlier Thursday morning, the House made the decision to remove Larry Householder as House Speaker. House Republicans said it was clear Householder could no longer do the job after being arrested on bribery charges..
Yet, a motion was brought up to expel him from the House all together, but that motion was tabled.
House Democrats approved of Householder’s removal as Speaker, but were not pleased about Cupp’s appointment nor Householder remaining a member.
In a one-line statement, Minority Leader Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) saying, “We don’t trust any of them.”
Now with Cupp at the helm, the big question is will he make changes in leadership.
Assistant Majority Whip Laura Lanese (R-Grove City) stepped down prior to Cupp’s appointment.
However, Majority Floor Leader Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) says he has no plans of resigning, saying “you do not throw out the entire team when the quarterback is injured,” referring to former speaker Larry Householder.
Meanwhile Cupp says, “We’ll take whatever steps we believe are appropriate.”
