COLUMBUS—State Representative Louis W. Blessing, Jr. (R-Cincinnati) was today elected by the House Republican Caucus to serve as Speaker Pro Tempore during the 129th General Assembly.

“I’m honored and humbled to have been chosen to serve in majority leadership in the next legislature,” said Blessing. “As a public servant, it has been a privilege to serve the people of this great state, and I’m eager to get to work in making changes to the way Ohio does business.”

Blessing will serve in majority leadership alongside Speaker William G. Batchelder (R-Medina), Majority Floor Leader Matt Huffman (R-Lima), Assistant Majority Floor Leader Barbara Sears (R-Monclova Twp), Majority Whip John Adams (R-Sidney) and Assistant Majority Whip Cheryl Grossman (R-Grove City). He has served the people of southwest Ohio in the legislature for more than 25 years. Prior to joining the legislature, he worked as an attorney, a Common Pleas Court Referee and a Colerain Township Trustee. He was also a member of the Hamilton County Township Trustees and Clerks Association.