Ohio Senate Democrats change leadership team

By The Columbus Dispatch  • 

Two top Senate Democrats seeking statewide office next year were replaced yesterday on the minority party’s leadership team.

Sen. Joe Schiavoni of Boardman replaces Eric Kearney as minority leader. The Cincinnati senator is running for lieutenant governor.

Also moving up are Sen. Charleta B. Tavares, D-Columbus, who becomes assistant minority leader; Sen. Edna Brown of Toledo, elevated to minority whip to replace Cleveland Sen. Nina Turner, who is running for secretary of state; and Sen. Lou Gentile of Steubenville, who becomes assistant minority whip.

“It’s my intention to work in a collaborative, bipartisan manner in order to improve the quality of life in my district and throughout Ohio,” Schiavoni said in a statement. “With that being said, it is important to remember that we will maintain the strong principles of the Democratic caucus and stand up for the millions of Ohioans we have been elected to represent.”