Capri Cafaro wins leadership post

COLUMBUS — As expected, Ohio Senate Democrats made official their caucus leadership choices today — though not before some last-minute wrangling among prior leaders.

The chamber unanimously chose Sen. Ray Miller from Columbus as minority leader, capping a coup that ousted former minority leader Sen. Teresa Fedor from Toledo and assistant leader Tom Roberts from Trotwood.

Senators also unanimously voted for Sen. Shirley Smith from Cleveland as assistant leader, Sen. Lance Mason from Cleveland as minority whip and Sen. Capri Cafaro of Hubbard, D-32nd, as assistant minority whip.

The selections were made during a Senate Democratic Caucus meeting last week, and Fedor and Roberts submitted their resignations to Senate President Bill Harris, a Republican from Ashland, on Thursday, to take effect Tuesday.

But on Monday, the two attempted to rescind their resignations, via additional letters submitted to Harris.

“Sen. Roberts and I decided that, after some information came out to the public, some of the senators were concerned, and we felt we need to give them more time,” she told reporters after today’s floor session.

Harris acknowledged receiving both sets of letters. He held the requests to rescind until receiving information, signed by all the Senate Democrats, about the leadership change.

For the complete story, see Wednesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.