Butler County state representative to resign from her seat next month

UPDATE: 10:47 A.M. (Aug. 25):

She was appointed in June 2011 when it was the Ohio 55th House District.

Butler County GOP Chairman Todd Hall said there is likely to be other candidates to announce their intentions over the next few days, but one is not likely to be West Chester Twp. Fiscal Officer Bruce Jones, who was one of those seeking the Ohio House appointment in 2011.

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“I appreciate the encouragement I’ve received. Given my background I would serve well in that position, but there is one person I would back 1,000 percent if I know he’s going to be a candidate,” said Jones, who would not identify that possible candidate.

UPDATE @ 4:30 P.M. (Aug. 24):

Butler County Democratic Party Chairwoman Jocelyn Bucaro expressed disappointment in Conditt’s resignation and says it opens the door “to enable Republican Party insiders to anoint yet another successor who answers to party bosses and not the voters they’re supposed to represent.”

“We are disappointed that Rep. Conditt will not serve even half of her term and question why she ran for re-election last year,” she said. “She has served six years and has very little legislative accomplishment, except to vote in favor of budgets that have drastically reduced support for public schools, including Lakota, the largest school district she represents.”

UPDATE @ 4:10 P.M. (Aug. 24):

Butler County Republican Party Chairman Todd Hall said Conditt will leave “a lasting legacy of defending conservative values and freedoms.”

"There have been few Ohio representatives who have reached the level of respect that Margy Condit has achieved,” Hall said. “She has brought a rare combination of toughness and grace to the statehouse. Her word is gold, and she worked very well with her peers. Margy is the ultimate blueprint for how to be an effective legislator. "

Though West Chester Twp. Trustee George Lang confirmed he would seek to succeed Conditt, Hall said the 14-year West Chester Twp. trustee long expressed interest in running for the Ohio House seat when Conditt’s term was completed.

But Hall said others are likely to make their interest known in the next few days.

UPDATE @ 3:59 P.M. (Aug. 24):

West Chester Twp. George Lang said he will seek the Butler County Republican Party’s endorsement and Ohio House appointment to replace Ohio Rep. Margy Conditt, who announced her impending resignation today.

Conditt, R-Liberty Twp., announced her last day will be Sept. 8.

Lang, a 14-year township trustee, is active in the Republican Party at the local and state levels. In recent months he’s held campaign fundraisers for Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Ohio Auditor Dave Yost. He also confirmed he’s held a campaign fundraiser for Ohio Speaker of the House Cliff Rosenberger, R-Clarksville.

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Rosenberger has assembled a three-person screening panel to review those seeking to succeed Conditt.

Lang said he’s not worried what people think if he earns the appointment months after holding a fundraiser for Rosenberger.

“I’ve learned in politics you can’t be worried about what others think,” said Lang. “People are going to think what they’re going to think.”

He also said he’s “not guaranteed the appointment.”

The last time this seat was open was when Conditt was appointed over several others seeking it. She was appointed in June 2011 when it was the Ohio 55th House District.

INITIAL POST (Aug. 24):

State Rep. Margy Conditt, R-Liberty Twp., announces she will resign from her seat in the Ohio House, effective Sept. 8.

“I will always treasure my six years in the Ohio House of Representatives,” Conditt said in a release. “Serving the people of Butler County will forever be one of the greatest honors I will ever experience. After much prayer and careful thought, I have decided it is best for me to resign from the House in order to spend more time with my family, and I am at peace with this decision.”

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Conditt is serving her third full term in the Ohio House in the 52nd District, which includes West Chester, Liberty and Fairfield townships and part of Sharonville.

During her time, Conditt has been passionate about protecting unborn children, including in her role as vice chair of the Community and Family Advancement Committee. She also joint-sponsored the Ohio ABLE Act, a program that allows individuals with disabilities to create tax-advantaged savings accounts, according to a media release.

“Representative Conditt has been a passionate and faithful servant to the people of Butler County throughout her tenure in the Ohio House, and it has been a privilege to serve alongside her,” said Speaker of the Ohio House Clifford A. Rosenberger. “Her integrity, humility and respect for this institution has set a positive example for anyone who follows in her footsteps. She will be sorely missed by everyone in the House. I wish her the very best in the years ahead, and I will always feel fortunate to call her a friend.”

Rosenberger has created a team to vet applicants and determine a replacement for the 52nd District seat. The three-member screening panel will be chaired by Rep. Kirk Schuring (R-Canton) and include Reps. Sarah LaTourette (R-Bainbridge Twp.) and Bob Cupp (R-Lima).

Individuals interested in filling the vacant seat should send a cover letter, resume and any supporting documentation to:

Speaker Cliff Rosenberger

c/o Mike Dittoe, Chief of Staff

77 S. High Street, 14th Floor

Columbus, OH 43215

Materials can also be emailed to Rep91@ohiohouse.gov. All applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. Sept. 1.

The hope is to swear in a replacement Sept. 13.