Republican Ohio State Representative Bob Young faced a setback as he was removed from his leadership position in the Ohio House due to his recent arrest, marking his second within a span of less than two months. The ongoing domestic violence case led to his removal from the position of committee chair by House Speaker Jason Stephens. Young’s latest arrest is on charges of violating a protective order. This action comes after he was indicted by a grand jury in July on domestic violence and assault charges. Young’s lawyer did not provide any comment in response to messages seeking clarification.
This removal, which has been confirmed by Aaron Mulvey, spokesperson for Speaker Stephens, not only weakens Young’s authority within the House but also results in a reduction of his pay by $9,000. Earlier, Stephens had urged Young to step down, but Young had declined. Despite the misdemeanor charges against him, Young retains his seat. Some Democratic lawmakers have formally advocated for stripping him of any special authority within the House, aligning with Stephens’ prior calls for his resignation. In a joint statement, Reps. Tavia Galonski and Casey Weinstein, both Summit County Democrats, stated, “Rep. Young’s alleged pattern of continued behavior directly conflicts with the values we uphold as elected officials and Ohioans.”
Recent events reveal that Young was arrested for violating a protective order by leaving multiple voicemails for his wife. Following this arrest, he was released on his own recognizance but is required to wear an ankle monitor 24/7. In a previous instance in July, Young was charged with striking his wife’s face and throwing her phone into their pool to prevent her from making an emergency call. Reportedly, when she sought refuge at Young’s brother’s residence, he pursued her and confronted his brother, leading to a shattered glass door and injuries to both men. Young, in an earlier statement, had expressed his belief that his actions were not criminal and affirmed his love for his family.