11/11/2026

MCAO Update: Senate Majority Leadership and Transition Teams Named

Senate Majority Leadership Team Election

The Senate Republicans, who will hold a 22-11 majority in the 137th General Assembly, met yesterday to unofficially select the new leadership team. All choices will have to be officially voted on next year in the new session.

As widely expected, Senator Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin) was selected as the next Senate President. Reineke is a business partner in Reineke Family Dealerships, a three-generation family business that has grown operates 11 retail facilities across 7 markets in Northwest Ohio and Southern Michigan. He represents the 26th District in the Ohio Senate, which includes Union, Crawford, Marion, Morrow, Sandusky, Seneca, and Wyandot counties. Reineke will be a one-term Senate President as he is currently serving his second of two four-year terms in the Senate. "I'm honored to have the support of my colleagues to lead the Senate for the new General Assembly," said Reineke. "The beginning of each new General Assembly brings unique challenges, and I'm looking forward to working with our capable

and experienced leadership team as well as across the aisle to continue making sure that Ohio is a great place to live, work and raise a family."

Senator George Lang (R-West Chester) will serve as president pro tempore. Lang, who’s district covers the majority of Butler County, is also entering the last two years of his second term. He previously worked for Procter & Gamble before leaving to start his own businesses in the financial services industry. Lang is currently serving as the Majority Whip.

Senator Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green) will continue to serve as the Majority Floor Leader. She represents the people of Erie, Ottawa and Wood counties and parts of Huron, and Lucas counties and is also entering the last two years of her second term. Gavarone is an attorney and with her husband, a local restaurant owner in Bowling Green.

Senators Tom Patton (R-Strongsville) and Susan Manchester (R-Lakeview) will serve as majority whips. Patton, who’s district covers parts of western Cuyahoga County, has served multiple terms in both the Ohio House and Senate and is currently in his first term. Senator Manchester is serving her first term representing all of Allen, Auglaize, Champaign, Mercer, and Shelby counties, as well as portions of Darke and Logan counties.

Senate Democrats, who will also be selecting a new leader due to current Minority Leader Nickie Antonio’s (D-Lakewood) tenure ending due to term limits, are expected to hold their leadership elections next week. House Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) has also announced that his caucus will take their unofficial leadership vote on November 17.

Attorney General-elect John Kulewicz Selects Transition Leader

Attorney General-elect John Kulewicz (D) has appointed his campaign manager, Colin Flanagan, as the transition director for his transition team. Flanagan, who has previously run for the Ohio House, has a bachelor's degree from Ohio State University, and a Master of Public Administration and a law degree from the University of Toledo. Prior to joining the Kulewicz campaign, Flanagan was a Hearing Officer for the Lucas County Board of Revision.

"I have been in continuous communication with all former living Ohio Attorneys General, who are all tremendous resources. I am extraordinarily grateful to all who have reached out to offer their aid during this exciting time for Ohio." Interested parties who would like to work in his administration should submit a resume and statement of interest to kulewicztransition@gmail.com.

Secretary of State-Elect Allison Russo has announced her transition team.

Alex Linser will serve as the transition director, while Rachel Rossi will serve as deputy transition director.

Linser is a Partner Of Counsel in the Cincinnati office of the law firm of Dinsmore & Shohl. He is the current chair of the Hamilton County, Ohio Democratic Party and chair of the Hamilton County Board of Elections. Prior to joining Dinsmore, Linser was chief of staff to Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus. His practice at Dinsmore focuses on representing governments, non-profits, and businesses in areas of municipal law, government law, federal oversight, litigation, real estate, employment, arbitration, and administrative matters.

Rossi is a co-founder and partners of Redfern + Rossi, a political consulting firm. She has in the past served as Finance Director for the Ohio Democratic Party and was described as Russo’s senior advisor for nearly eight years.

Russo is currently finishing her fourth term in the Ohio House of Representatives, representing House District 7 which includes Upper Arlington, Grandview Heights, and portions of Columbus. She previously served as the Minority Leader for the Ohio House Democratic Caucus between January 2022 and June 2025. Prior to joining the legislature, Representative Russo spent more than two decades advising government leaders and policymakers on issues related to the healthcare financing and care delivery needs of seniors, vulnerable populations, Veterans, and military families. She holds a doctoral degree in health policy from The George Washington University and a master's degree in public health epidemiology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Russo, along with all other new statewide officeholders, will be sworn as the new Secretary of State on January 11, 2027. The 137th General Assembly commences on January 4, 2027.

Maryellen K. Corbett
​​​​Attorney at Law
mcorbett@calfee.com
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