Jo Ann Davidson: Ohio’s First Female House Speaker to Lie in State at the Statehouse

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Written By Richard Perdomo

COLUMBUS, Ohio AP — Jo Ann Davidson, Ohio’s first and only female House speaker, is set to lie in state on Thursday at the Ohio Statehouse, following her passing at the age of 97 on Friday. This honor marks a historic moment as Davidson becomes the first woman in Ohio to receive such recognition, making her only the 10th individual in the state’s history to lie in state, a group that includes notable figures like Abraham Lincoln. The last person honored in this manner was former astronaut and U.S. Sen. John Glenn in 2016.

The public viewing will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Statehouse Rotunda, followed by a funeral service from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Atrium. Both events are open to the public, with the funeral service being livestreamed on The Ohio Channel.

Davidson’s political career spanned nearly six decades, starting as a volunteer in a Columbus suburb before serving on the local city council. She gained prominence as a leader in the Ohio House, where she was elected the first female speaker in 1994, a position she held until her retirement in 2001 due to term limits.

Throughout her career, Davidson was influential in state and national Republican politics. She played a pivotal role in President George W. Bush’s regional reelection campaign in 2004, contributing to his crucial Ohio victory over Democrat John Kerry. Additionally, she was instrumental in the successful campaign of GOP Ohio Gov. Bob Taft in 2002 and served as a close adviser to former Republican Gov. John Kasich and current Governor Mike DeWine.

Davidson began her political journey in 1965 with an unsuccessful bid for the all-male Reynoldsburg City Council but won a seat two years later, serving for a decade. In the Ohio House, she built a reputation for hard work and collaboration over her 20 years, eventually leading the chamber as its first female speaker.

Beyond her legislative accomplishments, Davidson founded the Jo Ann Davidson Ohio Leadership Institute in 2000, a training center in Columbus aimed at empowering Republican women as potential candidates and leaders. Throughout her career, she guided nearly 500 women through this initiative and operated her own consulting firm, JAD & Associates, which focused on public policy and political campaigns.

 

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