Same majority, different leaders in Ohio’s 136th General Assembly

TOLEDO, Ohio — 2025 will bring leadership changes in both chambers of the Ohio Legislature. Because Republicans maintain a majority in the House and Senate, they have the ability to decide who leads both.

State Senator Matt Huffman of Lima currently serves as Senate president, but will be moving to the Ohio House to serve as speaker. Replacing him as senate president will be colleague Rob McColley of Napoleon.

The house speaker and senate president oversee everyone in their respective chambers, regardless of party. However, there is the majority and the minority, which is where things break down by party.

Democrats are keeping their leadership, as the minority party, the same. State Representative Allison Russo of Upper Arlington will continue to represent Democrats as house minority leader, while State Senator Nickie Antonio of Lakewood will continue to serve as senate minority leader.

Republicans, as the majority party, are switching up their leadership.

Rob McColley is set to serve as senate president — but he previously served as senate majority leader. So who’s replacing him? That would be State Senator Theresa Gavarone of Bowling Green.

In the house, State Representative Bill Seitz of Cincinnati — who currently serves as house majority leader — will be replaced by State Representative Marilyn John of Richland County.