| Jason Stephens | |
| Office: | 106th Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives |
| Term Start: | January 3, 2023 |
| Predecessor: | Robert R. Cupp |
| State House1: | Ohio |
| District1: | 93rd |
| Term Start1: | October 10, 2019 |
| Predecessor1: | Ryan Smith |
| Birth Date: | 1971 (Age 53) |
| Party: | Republican |
| Education: | Lipscomb University (BS) |
Jason C. Stephens is an American Republican politician who became the Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives on January 3, 2023.[1] [2] He has been the representative for the 93rd district since October 10, 2019, taking the seat after Ryan Smith left the House to become president of the University of Rio Grande.[3]
Stephens's election to Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives was an unexpected result.[4] [5] [6] Stephens was able to secure election to the Speakership by receiving the votes of all of the Democratic caucus along with a third of the Republicans, even though he had previously lost an internal GOP caucus vote for leader.[7] Democratic Leader Allison Russo noted that the selection of Stephens did not come with a "grand deal" but that the Stephens would work with her caucus on items ranging from education policy to redistricting.[8]
In 2023, Stephens voted for legislation to ban gender-affirming medical care for minors and ban transgender athletes from competing in women's sports. The legislation was vetoed by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, who argued that medical care should be left to families and their doctors, not be dictated by the government.[9]