Antonio Raises Concerns Over McColley's Conflicts of Interest

Today, Senate Democratic Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) sent a letter to Senate President Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) raising concerns about his conflicts of interest in presiding over the Senate while serving as a candidate for lieutenant governor.

“On Wednesday, the Senate will take up S.B. 475, legislation announced last week by the Republican candidate for governor, with you at his side as his candidate for lieutenant governor. He has described your role on the ticket as a governing partner who will help advance his legislative agenda. That is a legitimate role for a running mate. It is not a role the presiding officer of the Ohio Senate should play from the chair,” read the letter.

“Every senator on the ballot this year will cast votes that matter to voters, and that is how democracy works. But only one senator sets this chamber's calendar, rules on its questions of order, and is also a candidate on the ticket that announced the bill before us. The public deserves confidence that the Senate's procedures belong to the Senate and not to any campaign.”

In the interest of protecting the institution they both serve, Leader Antonio asked President McColley to remedy these conflicts via Rule 2, which allows him to name another senator to preside, and Rule 59, which allows any senator to ask to be excused from voting.

Read the full letter.