New Speaker, Senate President and Fresh Faces in the 136th GA

“Unanimous elections for the new House Speaker and Senate President bode well for a productive legislature this session,” said Chip Gerhardt, President of Government Strategies Group. “I’m pleased to see some of our SW Ohio Delegation elected to leadership roles including Senator George Lang, Rep. Adam Bird and Rep. Dani Isaacsohn. We look forward to working with them and other members of the delegation to advance local and regional priorities.

Locally, four new representatives will join the Southwest Ohio delegation:

Rep. Mike Odioso (R-Cincinnati) will represent the 30th House District, replacing Bill Seitz who retired due to term limits. Odioso most recently retired after a successful career as a high school history teacher and coach. He also has a deep background in law. Odioso said he will fight to make the 30th District a strong, safe, and vibrant place to live, work, and raise a family. Mike is committed to fight for the needs of all district residents.

Rep. Karen Brownlee (D-Symmes Township) will represent the 28th House District, replacing Jodi Whitted who completed the unexpired term of current Hamilton County Auditor Jessica Miranda. Brownlee is a clinical social worker focusing on mental health issues. She pledged to bring collaboration, accountability, and equitable growth to the community.

Rep. Diane Mullins (R- Hamilton) will represent the 47th House District after defeating Sara Carruthers in last year’s primary election. Mullins is a co-pastor of Calvary Church.

Rep. Michelle Teska (R- Centerville) will represent the 55th House District, replacing Scott Lipps who was term limited. Teska is co-owner and President of Golden Heart Senior Care. Prior to owning her business, she was a successful sales leader for more than two decades with Cox Media Group.

Ohio House Leadership

At the first session of the 136th General Assembly, Matt Huffman was unanimously elected Speaker. Huffman was Senate President the last four years and was term limited in the Senate. Huffman’s Majority Leadership team was also elected unanimously:

  • Speaker Pro Tempore Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville)
  • Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore Phil Plummer (R-Dayton)
  • Majority Floor Leader Marilyn John (R-Shelby)
  • Assistant Majority Floor Leader Adam Bird (R-Cincinnati)
  • Majority Whips Riordan McClain (R-Nevada), Steve Demetriou (R-Chagrin Falls), Nick Santucci (R-Niles) and Josh Williams (R-Oregon).

The Democratic Leadership team includes:

  • House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Columbus)
  • Assistant Minority Leader Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus)
  • Minority Whip Dani Isaacsohn (D-Cincinnati)
  • Assistant Minority Whip Michele Grim (D-Toledo).

Speaker Huffman told reporters after session that the Republican Caucus priorities will be decided at their retreat next week but mentioned some of his priorities. He would like to revise the marijuana policy as passed by voters in November 2023, revise regulations around economic development with local government, update energy policy, and pass the biennium budget. Huffman also addressed property taxes in connection with public school funding.

Ohio Senate Leadership

Senator Rob McColley (R- Napolean) was elected Senate President unanimously. “Ohio, I believe, is at a crossroads right now,” McColley said after taking the oath. “A crossroads economically, a crossroads in many respects of what our destiny and what our shared future is going to be, and I believe that if we work together, our best days are in front of us.”

McColley’s Majority Leadership team includes:

  • President Pro Tempore Bill Reineke, (R-Tiffin)
  • Majority Floor Leader Theresa Gavarone, (R-Bowling Green)
  • Majority Whip George Lang, (R-West Chester)

Democrats selected

  • Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, (D-Lakewood)
  • Assistant Minority Leader Hearcel Craig, (D-Columbus)
  • Minority Whip Kent Smith, (D-Euclid)
  • Assistant Minority Whip Beth Liston, (D-Dublin)

For additional details about the Ohio General Assembly, visit ohiohouse.gov or ohiosenate.gov.

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Anne C. Sesler

Director of Public Affairs

Anne Sesler brings more than twenty years’ experience in public affairs consulting to Government Strategies Group. Anne works with local elected officials, state legislators, reporters and community leaders on behalf of corporate and non-profit clients developing community outreach and engagement strategies, conducts media relations, builds grassroots support for projects, and conducts communication with stakeholders and legislators.

Anne lends her public policy and political communication experience beyond GSG to her role as Vice Chair of the Hamilton County Democratic Party. Over the years, she’s offered political counsel to both state and local campaigns, including Preschool Promise, Ohio Jobs and Growth (the casino ballot initiative), United for Jobs and Ohio’s Future (Third Frontier), and many others. Anne lives in Mt. Lookout with her husband, Bryan.

Focus areas: 

  • Local government relations
  • Coalition building
  • Media relations and communications
  • Crisis communications

Driven by:

  • Making Cincinnati a better place for all

In the community:

  • Leadership Cincinnati Class 47
  • Cincinnati Planning Commission member
  • Lunken Airport Oversight and Advisory Board Chair
  • Cincinnati Democratic Committee Co-Chair
  • Hamilton County Democratic Party, Vice Chair
  • Mt. Lookout Community Council member

Charles “Chip” Gerhardt

President & CEO

Chip Gerhardt has made government affairs, economic development, and issue advocacy his life’s work. He’s worked for decades in the public and private sectors, and advocated at the local, state, and federal levels of government. In 2007, he used that experience to found Government Strategies Group, a full-service government relations firm. At GSG, he works directly with clients, helping them navigate the complicated intersection of politics, public policy, and business.

In his many years in public policy, Chip has been involved in significant policies including; creation of tax increment financing districts, the Clean Ohio program, Cincinnati City Center Development Corporation, and most importantly, the passage of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act. He has also been at the forefront of some of the biggest developments in Greater Cincinnati, including the Horseshoe (now Hard Rock) Casino, TQL Stadium for FC Cincinnati, parking garage structures at The Banks, and the redevelopment of the @580 building. Rarely is there a public policy endeavor in Cincinnati that does not involve GSG.

Chip received his B.B.A in Marketing from the University of Notre Dame and his Juris Doctor from the St. Louis University School of Law. He lives in Anderson Township with his wife Jane. Son Charlie is a local chef and children Hank and Anne have completed their education and started lives of their own.

Focus areas:

  • State and local government relations
  • Economic development
  • Issue advocacy

Driven by:

  • A lifelong interest in the political system has driven Chip to a career in public policy and politics. As a parent of three, one with Down syndrome, has compelled him to promote public policies designed to help others. Whether it is enabling financial independence for people with disabilities, advancing funding for housing families facing homelessness, or assisting with economic development projects, Chip involves himself in things that make a positive difference. 

In the community:

  • Hamilton County Board of Elections member
  • Current Board Member for Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, People Working Cooperatively, Corporation for Findlay Market, goVibrant, and the African American Chamber of Commerce
  • Former Chairman of the Board for the National Down Syndrome Society
  • Former board member of the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, the Cincinnati Museum Center, the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority, the Clermont County Chamber of Commerce, and the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati
  • Cincinnati Magazine’s 300 of the Region’s Most Powerful Business Leaders, 2021-2022
  • Cincy Magazine Power 100, 2011-2022