Joe Schiavoni, an Ohio University alumnus, resigned Wednesday as Ohio Senate minority leader to focus on his bid for governor.
The exchange of power between Schiavoni, D-Boardman, and Kenny Yuko, D-Richmond Heights, will take place April 26 during the next Senate session.
“Together, we have been a strong voice for millions of Ohioans at the Statehouse and I know that will continue under Senator Yuko’s leadership,” Schiavoni said in a minority caucus news release.
Schiavoni, who graduated from OU in 2001, served as a state senator since 2009 and the minority leader for three years.
Yuko served in the Ohio House of Representatives since 2005 before assuming the role of state senator in 2015.
“The Senate is in good hands with Senator Yuko,” said Nicholas Felt, a member of OU College Democrats and previous intern for former State Sen. Lou Gentile. “Joe stepping down gives him the opportunity to keep doing great work in the legislature while also being able to allocate time to the governor’s race.”
