Buckeye Firearms Assoc. endorsees to hold majority of leadership positions among House Democrats

Thanks in large part to having run so many pro-gun candidates in key districts, Democrats will hold a slim majority next year in the Ohio House.

The House Democratic caucus has chosen Rep. Armond Budish (D-08) as the next House speaker. He will replace Republican Jon Husted when the 128th General Assembly is formed in January.

It is an encouraging sign that, despite a change in party leadership, a majority of House leadership positions in the chamber will continue to be held by Buckeye Firearms Association endorsees.

Speaker-elect Budish, a northeast Ohio Democrat, has a mixed record when it comes to votes on gun-owners' and hunters' rights. As a freshman in the 127th General Assembly, he voted for HB450 (Armed Services 18-21 gun rights restoration) and for SB209 (Mobility-impaired hunting opportunity improvement). However, he voted against SB184 (Castle Doctrine/ Firearms law improvement), which was one of the most important pieces of state legislation to be passed into law since the concealed handgun licensure law in 2004.

A majority of House leadership positions are to be occupied by Buckeye Firearms Association endorsees:

• Rep. Matt Szollosi (D-49) will be speaker pro tempore (second-ranking member of the House)
• Rep. Jennifer Garrison (D-93) will be majority floor leader (third-ranking member)
• Rep. Jay Goyal (D-73) will be majority whip (fifth-ranking member)
• Rep. Allan Sayre (D-96) will be assistant majority whip (sixth-ranking member)

Rep. Tracy Maxwell Heard (D-26) will be assistant majority floor leader (fourth-ranking member of the House). Like Speaker-elect Budish, Rep. Heard voted for several of our bills, but against SB184.

Despite a change in leadership in the Ohio House, a majority of Ohio state representatives continue to support gun rights, which reflects the fact that a majority of Ohio citizens support gun rights.

We look forward to working with Speaker Budish on our mission of defending and advancing the right of Ohio citizens to own and use firearms for all legal activities, including self-defense, hunting, competition, and recreation.