Kirk Schuring

Kirk Schuring (born September 17, 1952) is a Republican member of the Ohio Senate. He served as Interim House Speaker for the 132nd General Assembly, following the resignation of Speaker Cliff Rosenberger.[1][2] Rosenberger resigned amid revelations he was under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).[3] He was previously a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1993 to 2002, and from 2011 to 2018. Schuring also previously served in the Ohio Senate from 2003 to 2010. Schuring was the Republican nominee for U.S. Congress in Ohio's 16th congressional district in 2008. In 2018 Schuring was elected back to the Ohio Senate, where he currently serves, representing the 29th district.

Kirk Schuring
Majority Leader of the Ohio Senate
Incumbent
Assumed office January 4, 2021
Preceded by	Matt Huffman
Member of the Ohio Senate from the 29th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2019
Preceded by	Scott Oelslager
In office January 6, 2003 – December 31, 2010
Preceded by	Scott Oelslager
Succeeded by	Scott Oelslager
Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives Acting
In office April 12, 2018 – June 6, 2018
Preceded by	Cliff Rosenberger
Succeeded by	Ryan Smith
Speaker pro tempore of the Ohio House of Representatives
In office January 3, 2017 – December 31, 2018
Preceded by	Ron Amstutz
Succeeded by	Jim Butler
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 48th district
In office January 3, 2011 – December 31, 2018
Preceded by	Scott Oelslager
Succeeded by	Scott Oelslager
In office January 3, 1995 – December 31, 2002
Preceded by	David Johnson
Succeeded by	Scott Oelslager
Personal details
Born	September 17, 1952 Canton, Ohio, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Darlene
Education	Kent State University

Career

Schuring joined his family's insurance agency in 1978. He has served as president of the Canton Jaycees, the Young Republicans, and the Canton Urban League. He has also served as Chairman of the Stark/Wayne Christmas Seal Drive and the Chamber's Vision 1 Committee.

In 1993, Schuring was appointed to an open seat in the Ohio House of Representatives vacated by Representative David Johnson. He was elected to his full first term in 1994, and reelected in 1996, 1998 and 2000, before being term limited in 2002.

With both Schuring and Senator Scott Oelslager term limited from their respective positions in 2002, they swapped seats. Schuring won against Democrat Jan Schwartz with 55.6% of the vote in the general election.[4] In the 126th General Assembly, Schuring served as Reference Committee Chairman.

In 2006, he faced a reelection campaign in which Democrats saw him as vulnerable. However, he defeated Democrat Thomas West again with 55% of the vote.[5] He again served as Reference Committee Chairman for the 127th General Assembly.

When Congressman Ralph Regula announced in late 2007 that he would not seek another term in Congress, Schuring won the Republican nomination to succeed him. His opponent was fellow state Senator John Boccieri, who had been elected to the Senate in 2006.[6] While historically a Republican district, Boccieri won with 55.36% of the vote.[7]

Ohio House of Representatives, Second Tenure

Schuring again faced term limits in 2010 in the Senate, and Oelslager too could not run for another term. As a result, they again ran for each other's seats. The maneuver again proved successful, with Schuring defeating Democrat Andrew Haines with 69.2% of the vote in the general election.[8]

Schuring was sworn in to begin his second tenure in the House on January 3, 2011. In 2012, Schuring won reelection with 57.34% over Democrat Amanda Trump.

Initiatives, policies and positions

Schuring has worked to develop a pension reform plan that doesn't involve hikes to employer contribution to public retirement systems. There's a "sentiment of caution" among many lawmakers in terms of pension reform. He said many lawmakers are "justifiably sensitive to the plight of local governments."[9] He has been critical to finding a solution in providing a cost efficient and solvent solution to the public pension systems.[10]

The only Republican to vote against the measure, Schuring joined Democrats in voting against a measure to require a photo ID when casting a ballot in Ohio.[11] Many had criticized Republicans for pushing the measure through the legislature.[12]

See also

• United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio, 2008

References

1. Pelzer, Jeremy. "Ohio House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger moves up departure, resigns immediately". Retrieved 13 April 2018.
2. Siegel, Jim. "Ohio House speaker to resign; Schuring to take interim role". The Repository. Retrieved 2018-04-19.
3. "Ohio House Speaker resigns immediately; won't wait till May 1". daytondailynews. Retrieved 2018-04-19.
4. Blackwell, Kenneth 2002 general election results Archived 2010-12-27 at the Wayback Machine (2002-11-03)
5. Blackwell, Kenneth 2006 general election results Archived 2011-09-16 at the Wayback Machine (2006-11-07)
6. Schuring, Boccieri will vie to fill Regula's seat
7. Brunner, Jennifer 2008 general election results Archived 2010-08-11 at the Wayback Machine (2008-11-04)
8. Brunner, Jennifer 2010 general election results Archived 2011-06-27 at the Wayback Machine(2010-11-02)
9. Police & Fire pension fund not complying with state law
10. Rowland, Darrel (2011-06-22). "State panel delays voting for pension reviews". Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on 2012-07-30. Retrieved 2011-06-24.
11. Hershey, William (2011-03-24). "Ohio House passes bill to have voters show photo ID". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved 2011-03-24.
12. Marshall, Aaron (2011-03-24). "Ohio House approves legislation requiring state photo ID to vote". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved 2011-03-24.

External links

• The Ohio House of Representatives: Rep. Kirk Schuring (R-Canton) official site
• Project Vote Smart – Senator J. Kirk Schuring (OH) profile
• The Canton Repository Endorses Kirk Schuring
• Follow the Money – Kirk Schuring
  • 2006 2004 2002 HD-29 2002 HD-55 2000 1998 1996 campaign contributions