In light of news House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) resigning from Congress in October, reactions are pouring in from local and state politicians, political parties and those connected to Boehner.
•Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said: “I want to wish my friend and fellow Ohioan, Speaker John Boehner, all the best on his decision to retire from Congress. He served our state and nation for many years, and led House Republicans through an important time in our nation’s history. I was especially glad that he was able to cap his distinguished career with the crowning achievement of bringing Pope Francis to Washington, D.C. for a speech to the joint session of Congress. I have often said that Speaker Boehner had the toughest job in Washington, and though we disagreed at times, I continue to have the utmost respect for him as a colleague and a person.”
•Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, said Boehner’s been “a dear friend of mine” and he will be missed in Congress. He’s helped with a number of different projects around the district and state, but Portman said his legacy will be highlighted by having brought Pope Francis to speak to Congress. “I’m sad for the country as he’s stepping down, and he’s been an outstanding leader,” Portman said.
•Chairman David Pepper, Ohio Democratic Party, said: “We wish Speaker Boehner the best as he moves on and tackles the next phase in his life, and we look forward to a spirited campaign to succeed him in the House. The Speaker’s resignation is the clearest sign yet that the extremist wing of the Republican Party has taken over, created chaos and refused to govern. Particularly in the wake of the Pope’s address yesterday, it’s time for reasonable minds from both parties to come together, end politics as usual and get back to work on the issues that matter — but that looks less likely than ever given the current dysfunction in the Republican Party.”
•Gov. John Kasich while campaigning for president in South Carolina on Friday, said he learned of Boehner’s resignation on the television news. He said he left a message for Boehner earlier in the week saying, “Hey hang in there.” Kasich said “being speaker of the House is the hardest job there is.” “I think John, if I had to guess, was probably very inspired by the pope and said ‘I’ve done my duty and now it’s time to move on,’ ’’ Kasich said. “I’m proud of him. He’s a friend of mine. He’s a terrific guy.” Kasich said he would call a special election to fill the seat being vacated by Boehner, but neither he nor his aides had any details about when the primary election and the general election would be held.
•Congressman Mike Turner, R-Ohio, said: “I have appreciated Speaker Boehner’s leadership throughout his time in Congress and in the Ohio delegation. His dedication to the country and his constituents never wavered throughout his many years of service and I wish him all the best.”
•Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, said: “The son of a barkeeper, John Boehner rose to one of the most powerful positions in the nation. While we have not always agreed on many issues, I know that he is a good, decent man who has served our nation honorably. Connie and I send our best wishes to the Boehner family.”
•Sen. Chris Widener, R-Springfield, said: “Speaker John Boehner is a courageous public servant and has dedicated his life to this state and this country. I wish him a life of happiness in his retirement.”
•Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted said: “One of the great and unique things about America is that, no matter who you are or what type of life your family lives, you can be successful and you can be a leader in our society. John Boehner is living proof of the American Dream having grown up in very modest means with 11 brothers and sisters, he rose to become the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Speaker Boehner has proven himself a leader in good times and bad – from the attacks on our nation on September 11, 2001 to the steady economic recovery after the great recession, he has been a wise and steadfast voice in the capitol and he will certainly be missed. I wish Speaker and Debbie Boehner the best in the next phase of their lives together. As Ohio’s chief elections officer, I am already working with the Governor to ensure a smooth and fair transition as Southwest Ohio looks for a new person to represent them in Congress.”
•P.G. Sittenfeld, democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, said: “John Boehner’s surprise announcement is proof positive of just how dysfunctional the Republican-controlled House has become. By any reasonable measure, Boehner is a conservative’s conservative. But that wasn’t enough for the extreme right-wingers who think that stamping their feet and shutting down the government when they don’t get their way is sound government policy. I don’t often agree with Speaker Boehner on the issues. But at least he was adult enough to know not only that compromise isn’t a dirty word, but that its the only way to get things done in a democracy.”
•Chairman Dale Henry, Clark County Democratic Party, called Boehner’s resignation “explosive news.” “I can guarantee you that the Democratic party will be doing everything we can to recruit someone who has the type of integrity and the kind of service and experience that the people will be able to relate to for that seat,” Henry said. Henry criticized Boehner as U.S. Speaker of the House for his inability to resolve the Tremont City barrel fill issue. Local leaders and residents want the hazardous waste in the barrel fill removed, regardless of the cost or federal standards. The U.S. EPA has recommended a plan that would save millions and call for the solid waste to be reburied on site with a liner added. “If the Speaker of the House can’t step up for you, as someone who has an office in your district, as your representative on those kind of issues, than we’re in a bad position. Clean water is an enormous issue all over the country and for him to take a back seat and let somebody else to do his footwork for him is just unconscionable,” Henry said.
•Chairwoman Lynda Smith, Clark County Republican Party, said Boehner’s district first included Clark County in 2012, but in that short time he has represented the region well, Smith said. He has also been helpful in working with local officials who have pushed for cleanup of the Tremont City Barrel Fill, an 8.5-acre site in northern Clark County with hazardous waste. Boehner has faced a challenge contending not only with Democrats but balancing dueling interests within his own party. “He has been very good to Clark County,” Smith said. “He has always been there for the party and we appreciate all the support he has given us and I know he’s had a really tough job. Trying to get everybody together, he’s had a really hard time.” His staff members have also been responsive to local party officials during elections or when questions arose, Smith said. “I don’t know what the reasons are but he’s been good to us and whatever he does I wish him all the best,” she said. Smith isn’t aware of any specific candidates who might be a fit for either Boehner’s seat in the U.S. House or his position as Speaker. “We’ll work with whoever we have, but we’ll miss John,” Smith said. “He was good to work with.”
•Richard W. Slagle, of Middletown, made two large commemorative wooden gavels for Boehner after he was elected Speaker of the House by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2011. Boehner uses one at the podium, and keeps the other on his desk, Slagle said. He hopes Boehner takes one as a memento and leaves the other one for the next Speaker of the House. “I’d like to be a little part of American history,” said Slagle, 88. Slagle and Boehner have been friends for more than 30 years, he said. “We go way back,” he said. When asked about Boehner’s performance, Slagle said he had the most difficult job in the world, even tougher than President Obama. “He had to hold the Republican party together,” Slagle said. “With the Tea Party, there was some internal disruption.” He said Boehner was successful because he never veered from his beliefs. “He played it square and straight,” Slagle said. “You always knew what John believed in.”