COLUMBUS — Statehouse veteran Bob Cupp, R-Lima, appears to be the leading candidate to replace Speaker Larry Householder, accused in an FBI bribery and racketeering investigation.
On Tuesday, the House Republican caucus will meet in Columbus in an effort to remove Householder as Speaker.
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The search is on to replace Householder, R-Glenford, accused in an FBI bribery and racketeering investigation announced last week by the FBI and U.S. Attorney for Southern Ohio, producing charges against him and four others, including three lobbyists and a longtime associate of the Speaker.
Cupp’s resume reads like a directory of government jobs up and down the power scale. He has served as Allen County commissioner, state representative, state senator, Ohio Supreme Court justice, and chief legal counsel to former State Auditor Dave Yost.
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When Cupp was in the state Senate, his district included much of the northern part of the Miami Valley.
Among Cupp’s supporters is Rep. Niraj Antani, R-Miamisburg. Antani calls Cupp the right person for the job at just the right time. Antani believes the House must act quickly to choose a new Speaker.
“We need to show the public that we are beginning to rebuild their trust and confidence. And that is why I’m supporting Bob Cupp. He is the only person who can unify Republicans and unify the people of Ohio,” Antani said.
The House Republican caucus will meet in private to hear from Cupp and potentially other candidates. Rep. Rick Carfagna of suburban Columbus has also expressed an interest in the job.
If the caucus makes a selection Tuesday, it would have to be made official by a House vote in a session that could come Wednesday or later.