The former speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives will be leaving the Ohio legislature soon to take a leadership post in higher education.
State Rep. Ryan Smith (R-Bidwell) is going to lead Rio Grande Community College and the University of Rio Grande. The move isn’t a surprise, as word of it has been circulating around the Statehouse for weeks. Smith’s last day is October 3.
Smith faced term limits next year, and lost his Speakership to fellow Republican Larry Householder (R-Glenford) earlier this year after a contentious year-long battle.
Householder ultimately won support from some Democrats to get the post.
Caucus members had selected Smith last session to fill the leadership position in June 2018. The position was left vacant when Speaker Cliff Rosenberger resigned in April 2018 amid an FBI probe.
However, in January, Householder edged Smith out of keeping the job this session by gaining 52 of 100 votes.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
