Calls Mount For Resignation Of Arrested Ohio House Speaker

COLUMBUS, OH — After Ohio Speaker of the House Larry Householder's arrest Tuesday, the calls for his resignation have mounted.

Householder was charged Tuesday with conspiracy to participate in a racketeering scheme. The speaker was named in an affidavit accusing him of accepting and overseeing the distribution of $61 million in "dark money" to pass a bailout bill for two Ohio nuclear plants run by FirstEnergy.

Democrats and Republicans alike are now calling on Householder to leave his post. Despite the cascade of resignation demands, Householder said Tuesday he would not resign as speaker, The Cincinnati Enquirer noted.

Gov. Mike DeWine was one of the first figures to publicly demand the speaker's resignation.

While noting that everyone deserves a fair trial and the presumption of innocence, DeWine said Householder must still resign. "Because of the nature of these charges, it will be impossible for Speaker Householder to effectively lead the Ohio House of Representatives; therefore, I am calling on Speaker Householder to resign immediately," the governor said.

Senator Rob Portman, Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and other soon followed suit, calling on Householder to resign immediately.

Rep. Mary Kaptur and dozens of Democrats have echoed the Republican call for Householder's resignation.

"The arrest of the Republican Speaker of the Ohio House and the former Chairman of the Ohio Republican Party undermines public confidence and underscores the corrosive impact money has on our politics. While these matters are adjudicated, Ohioans should demand a top to bottom reform of Ohio’s ethics and campaign finance system to put an end to pay-to-play in the Buckeye State," Kaptur said in a statement.

Kaptur's statement was followed by messages demanding Householder's resignation from the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus, House Minority Leader Emilia Strong Sykes and others.