Kirk Schuring (born September 17, 1952) is an American politician serving as a member of the Ohio Senate. He served as interim Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, following the resignation of Speaker Cliff Rosenberger.[1][2] Rosenberger resigned amid revelations he was under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.[3] He was previously a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1993 to 2002, and from 2011 to 2018. Schuring also previously served in the Ohio Senate from 2003 to 2010. He was the Republican nominee for Ohio's 16th congressional district in the 2008 election. In 2018, Schuring was re-elected to the Ohio Senate, where represents the 29th district.

Kirk Schuring
President pro tempore of the Ohio Senate
Assumed office
January 3, 2023
Preceded byJay Hottinger
Majority Leader of the Ohio Senate
In office
January 4, 2021 – January 3, 2023
Preceded byMatt Huffman
Succeeded byRob McColley
Member of the Ohio Senate
from the 29th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2019
Preceded byScott Oelslager
In office
January 6, 2003 – December 31, 2010
Preceded byScott Oelslager
Succeeded byScott Oelslager
Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives
Acting
In office
April 12, 2018 – June 6, 2018
Preceded byCliff Rosenberger
Succeeded byRyan Smith
Speaker pro tempore of the Ohio House of Representatives
In office
January 3, 2017 – December 31, 2018
Preceded byRon Amstutz
Succeeded byJim Butler
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the 48th district
In office
January 3, 2011 – December 31, 2018
Preceded byScott Oelslager
Succeeded byScott Oelslager
In office
January 3, 1995 – December 31, 2002
Preceded byDavid Johnson
Succeeded byScott Oelslager
Personal details
Born (1952-09-17) September 17, 1952 (age 72)
Canton, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseDarlene
EducationKent State University

Career

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Schuring joined his family's insurance agency in 1978. He was president of the Canton Jaycees, the Young Republicans, and the Canton Urban League. He has also served as Chairman of the Stark/Wayne Christmas Seal Drive and the Chamber's Vision 1 Committee.

Ohio House of Representatives (1993–2002)

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In 1993, Schuring was appointed to an open seat in the Ohio House of Representatives vacated by Representative David Johnson. He was elected to his full first term in 1994, and re-elected in 1996, 1998 and 2000, before being term limited in 2002.

Ohio Senate (2003–2010)

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With both Schuring and Senator Scott Oelslager term limited from their respective positions in 2002, they swapped seats. Schuring won against Democrat Jan Schwartz with 55.6% of the vote in the general election.[4] In the 126th General Assembly, Schuring served as Reference Committee Chairman.

In 2006, he defeated Democrat Thomas West again with 55% of the vote.[5] He again served as Reference Committee Chairman for the 127th General Assembly.

2008 congressional campaign

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When Congressman Ralph Regula announced in late-2007 that he would not seek another term in Congress, Schuring won the Republican nomination to succeed him. His opponent was fellow state Senator John Boccieri, who had been elected to the Senate in 2006.[6] While historically a Republican district, Boccieri won with 55.36% of the vote.[7]

Ohio House of Representatives (2011–2019)

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Schuring again faced term limits in 2010 in the Senate, and Oelslager too could not run for another term. As a result, they again ran for each other's seats. The maneuver again proved successful, with Schuring defeating Democrat Andrew Haines with 69.2% of the vote in the general election.[8]

Schuring was sworn in to begin his second tenure in the House on January 3, 2011. In 2012, Schuring won reelection with 57.34% over Democrat Amanda Trump.

Political positions

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Schuring has worked to develop a pension reform plan that doesn't involve hikes to employer contribution to public retirement systems. There's a "sentiment of caution" among many lawmakers in terms of pension reform. He said many lawmakers are "justifiably sensitive to the plight of local governments."[9] He has been critical to finding a solution in providing a cost efficient and solvent solution to the public pension systems.[10]

The only Republican to vote against the measure, Schuring joined Democrats in voting against a measure to require a photo ID when casting a ballot in Ohio.[11] Many[who?] had criticized Republicans for pushing the measure through the legislature.[12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Pelzer, Jeremy. "Ohio House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger moves up departure, resigns immediately". Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  2. ^ Siegel, Jim. "Ohio House speaker to resign; Schuring to take interim role". The Repository. Retrieved 2018-04-19.
  3. ^ "Ohio House Speaker resigns immediately; won't wait till May 1". daytondailynews. Retrieved 2018-04-19.
  4. ^ Blackwell, Kenneth 2002 general election results Archived 2010-12-27 at the Wayback Machine (2002-11-03)
  5. ^ Blackwell, Kenneth 2006 general election results Archived 2011-09-16 at the Wayback Machine (2006-11-07)
  6. ^ Schuring, Boccieri will vie to fill Regula's seat
  7. ^ Brunner, Jennifer 2008 general election results Archived 2010-08-11 at the Wayback Machine (2008-11-04)
  8. ^ Brunner, Jennifer 2010 general election results Archived 2011-06-27 at the Wayback Machine(2010-11-02)
  9. ^ Police & Fire pension fund not complying with state law[permanent dead link]
  10. ^ Rowland, Darrel (2011-06-22). "State panel delays voting for pension reviews". Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on 2012-07-30. Retrieved 2011-06-24.
  11. ^ Hershey, William (2011-03-24). "Ohio House passes bill to have voters show photo ID". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved 2011-03-24.
  12. ^ Marshall, Aaron (2011-03-24). "Ohio House approves legislation requiring state photo ID to vote". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 2011-03-24.
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Ohio House of Representatives
Preceded by Speaker pro tempore of the Ohio House of Representatives
2017–2019
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives
Acting

2018
Succeeded by
Ohio Senate
Preceded by Majority Leader of the Ohio Senate
2021–2023
Succeeded by
Preceded by President pro tempore of the Ohio Senate
2023–present
Incumbent