Jason Stephens (politician)

Jason C. Stephens is an American Republican politician who became the Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives on January 3, 2023. He has been the representative for the 93rd district since October 10, 2019, taking the seat after Ryan Smith left the House to become president of the University of Rio Grande.

Political career
Stephens's election to Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives was an unexpected result. Stephens was able to secure election to the Speakership by receiving the votes of all of the Democratic caucus along with a third of the Republicans, even though he had previously lost an internal GOP caucus vote for leader. Democratic Leader Allison Russo noted that the selection of Stephens did not come with a "grand deal" but that the Stephens would work with her caucus on items ranging from education policy to redistricting.

In 2023, Stephens voted for legislation to ban gender-affirming medical care for minors and ban transgender athletes from competing in women's sports. The legislation was vetoed by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, who argued that medical care should be left to families and their doctors, not be dictated by the government.