James Kirk Schuring[1] (September 17, 1952 – November 22, 2024) was an American politician of the Republican Party from the state of Ohio. He was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1993 to 2002, and from 2011 to 2018. Schuring also served in the Ohio Senate from 2003 to 2010, before returning in 2018 and serving there until his death.
Kirk Schuring | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Schuring in 2006 | |
| President pro tempore of the Ohio Senate | |
| In office January 3, 2023 – November 22, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Jay Hottinger |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| Majority Leader of the Ohio Senate | |
| In office January 4, 2021 – January 3, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Matt Huffman |
| Succeeded by | Rob McColley |
| Member of the Ohio Senate from the 29th district | |
| In office January 3, 2019 – November 22, 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Scott Oelslager |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| In office January 6, 2003 – December 31, 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Scott Oelslager |
| Succeeded by | Scott Oelslager |
| Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives | |
Acting | |
| In office April 12, 2018 – June 6, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Cliff Rosenberger |
| Succeeded by | Ryan Smith |
| Speaker pro tempore of the Ohio House of Representatives | |
| In office January 3, 2017 – December 31, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Ron Amstutz |
| Succeeded by | Jim Butler |
| Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 48th district | |
| In office January 3, 2011 – December 31, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Scott Oelslager |
| Succeeded by | Scott Oelslager |
| In office January 3, 1995 – December 31, 2002 | |
| Preceded by | David Johnson |
| Succeeded by | Scott Oelslager |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 17, 1952 Canton, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | November 22, 2024 (aged 72) Canton, Ohio, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Darlene |
| Education | Kent State University |
In 2018, Schuring was interim Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, following the resignation of Speaker Cliff Rosenberger.[2][3] Rosenberger resigned amid revelations he was under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.[4] He was also the Republican nominee for Ohio's 16th congressional district in the 2008 election.
Career
editSchuring joined his family's insurance agency in Plain Township, Stark County, Ohio, in 1978, and took it over after his father's death two years later.[1] He was president of the Canton Jaycees, the Young Republicans, and the Canton Urban League. He also served as Chairman of the Stark/Wayne Christmas Seal Drive and the Chamber's Vision 1 Committee.
Ohio House of Representatives (1993–2002)
editIn 1993, Schuring was appointed to an open seat in the Ohio House of Representatives vacated by Representative David Johnson. He was elected to his full first term in 1994, and re-elected in 1996, 1998 and 2000, before being term limited in 2002.[1]
Ohio Senate (2003–2010)
editWith both Schuring and Senator Scott Oelslager term limited from their respective positions in 2002, they swapped seats. Schuring won against Democrat Jan Schwartz with 55.6% of the vote in the general election.[5] In the 126th General Assembly, Schuring served as Reference Committee Chairman.
In 2006, he defeated Democrat Thomas West again with 55% of the vote.[6] He again served as Reference Committee Chairman for the 127th General Assembly.
2008 congressional campaign
editWhen Congressman Ralph Regula announced in late-2007 that he would not seek another term in Congress, Schuring won the Republican nomination to succeed him. His opponent was fellow state Senator John Boccieri, who had been elected to the Senate in 2006.[7] While historically a Republican district, Boccieri won with 55.36% of the vote.[8]
Ohio House of Representatives (2011–2019)
editSchuring again faced term limits in 2010 in the Senate, and Oelslager too could not run for another term. As a result, they again ran for each other's seats. The maneuver again proved successful, with Schuring defeating Democrat Andrew Haines with 69.2% of the vote in the general election.[9]
Schuring was sworn in to begin his second tenure in the House on January 3, 2011. In 2012, Schuring won reelection with 57.34% over Democrat Amanda Trump.
Political positions
editSchuring worked to develop a pension reform plan that doesn't involve hikes to employer contribution to public retirement systems. There's a "sentiment of caution" among many lawmakers in terms of pension reform. He said many lawmakers are "justifiably sensitive to the plight of local governments."[10] He had been critical to finding a solution in providing a cost efficient and solvent solution to the public pension systems.[11]
The only Republican to vote against the measure, Schuring joined Democrats in voting against a measure to require a photo ID when casting a ballot in Ohio.[12] Many[who?] had criticized Republicans for pushing the measure through the legislature.[13]
Personal life and death
editSchuring married Darlene Newkirk in 1975, and they had two children.[1] He died from pancreatic cancer at his home on November 22, 2024, at the age of 72.[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e Bischoff, Laura A.; Botos, Tim (November 22, 2024). "'Kirk was a statesman.' Kirk Schuring, Ohio's second-longest serving lawmaker, has died". The Repository. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
- ^ Pelzer, Jeremy. "Ohio House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger moves up departure, resigns immediately". Retrieved April 13, 2018.
- ^ Siegel, Jim. "Ohio House speaker to resign; Schuring to take interim role". The Repository. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
- ^ "Ohio House Speaker resigns immediately; won't wait till May 1". daytondailynews. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
- ^ Blackwell, Kenneth 2002 general election results Archived December 27, 2010, at the Wayback Machine (November 3, 2002)
- ^ Blackwell, Kenneth 2006 general election results Archived September 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine (November 7, 2006)
- ^ Schuring, Boccieri will vie to fill Regula's seat
- ^ Brunner, Jennifer 2008 general election results Archived August 11, 2010, at the Wayback Machine (November 4, 2008)
- ^ Brunner, Jennifer 2010 general election results Archived June 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine(November 2, 2010)
- ^ Police & Fire pension fund not complying with state law[permanent dead link]
- ^ Rowland, Darrel (June 22, 2011). "State panel delays voting for pension reviews". Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on July 30, 2012. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
- ^ Hershey, William (March 24, 2011). "Ohio House passes bill to have voters show photo ID". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
- ^ Marshall, Aaron (March 24, 2011). "Ohio House approves legislation requiring state photo ID to vote". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved March 24, 2011.
External links
edit- The Ohio House of Representatives: Rep. Kirk Schuring (R-Canton) official site
- Project Vote Smart – Senator J. Kirk Schuring (OH) profile
- The Canton Repository Endorses Kirk Schuring[permanent dead link]
- Follow the Money – Kirk Schuring
- 2006 2004 2002 HD-29 2002 HD-55 2000 1998 1996 campaign contributions