Governor, half of Ohio's Republican representatives want Rep. Bob Young to resign
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine joined a growing chorus of state Republicans calling for Rep. Bob Young to resign following his arrests on charges of domestic violence, assault and violating a restraining order.
“This is a matter, obviously, that is up to the General Assembly. But these are some serious charges," DeWine told reporters Thursday. "It’s not a good situation. So I think he should resign.”
The governor's remarks came hours after more than half the Republicans in Ohio's House wrote an open letter saying the same.
"While our prayers are with the family of Rep. Bob Young during this difficult period for them, we have serious concerns about his recent conduct, and it is clear that he is unable to provide effective representation for his constituents," his colleagues wrote.
Young, a Republican from Green, was first arrested in July after an altercation at his house during a party. According to a criminal affidavit released to the Akron Beacon Journal, Young is accused of striking a female relative with an open hand and ramming a male family member through a piece of glass.
The 42-year-old lawmaker pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Young was arrested again in August on first-degree misdemeanor charges that allege he "recklessly" violated the terms of a protection order by calling a relative multiple times. He pleaded not guilty again but was required to wear a GPS monitor as a condition of his release from jail.
Charges against Rep. Bob Young: After second arrest, judge orders Young to wear GPS monitor to leave jail
"I think most people would resign before they wore an ankle monitor on the House floor," said Rep. Brian Stewart, R-Ashville. "And yet, here we are."
House lawmakers are set to return to Columbus in mid-September. Young had chaired a committee before his arrests, but House Speaker Jason Stephens, R-Kitts Hill, removed Young from this leadership position earlier this month.
Aaron Mulvey, a spokesman for Stephens, said Wednesday's letter from 34 Republican representatives "echoes the Speaker's call to resign on July 9."
Young hasn't responded directly to requests from media outlets, but his attorney, John Greven, confirmed to the Akron Beacon Journal in July that Young did not plan to resign.
More: Rep. Young won't resign; Police report says child witnessed him slap woman, throw phone
As for what happens next, Stewart wasn't sure anything would happen beyond the letter he and his colleagues wrote.
The House of Representatives can censure its members and even expel them from office. Stewart led the charge to successfully remove former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder before he was convicted on public corruption charges this spring. But Stewart said this situation is different. Householder was accused of using his public office to commit federal crimes.
"I think a lot of people have different opinions on that, but I think, for me, this is the limit of what we can do," Stewart said. "I think he should resign."
Reporter Haley BeMiller contributed reporting to this article.
Anna Staver is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio Republicans say GOP representative must resign following arrests
