COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine ordered that flags of the United States and state of Ohio be lowered at public grounds in honor of former Ohio House Speaker Jo Ann Davidson, who passed away Friday.
Davidson was the first woman elected speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives and she served in the House for more than 20 years.
Before serving in the House, she was elected to the Reynoldsburg City Council and was a Truro Township Trustee.
“Fran and I are saddened to learn of the death of our dear friend Jo Ann Davidson,” DeWine said in a statement. “Jo Ann dedicated her life to public service and the people of Ohio, a model public servant who was full of wit, intelligence, class, and skill. She was a trailblazer in the truest sense, beginning her career on Reynoldsburg’s city council in the 1960s and making history in 1995 as Ohio’s first female speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives.”
Davidson was a founder and president of JAD Associates, a consulting firm focusing on public policy development and analysis, strategic planning and political campaigns. In 2005, she was elected to serve as co-chair of the Republican National Committee.
Ohio politicians remembering Jo Ann Davidson as a “trailblazer”
Congresswoman Joyce Beatty released a statement on the passing of Davidson, calling her "incredibly generous with her time, talent and wisdom."
"As Ohio's first and only female Speaker of the House, she shattered glass ceilings and dedicated her career to mentoring and empowering women across Ohio and the nation—including myself—creating lasting opportunities in public service," Beatty said. "She was incredibly generous to me with her time, talent, and wisdom. Speaker Davidson embodied strength, integrity, and resilience, and her legacy will forever inspire women to lead with vision and inclusivity. Ohio has lost a giant, but her impact will reverberate for generations to come."
Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens also issued a statement on Friday:
“I’m saddened to learn of the passing of Speaker Jo Ann Davidson. As a true trailblazer, Speaker Davidson's legacy is one of strength, grace, and servant leadership. She fostered a culture of mentorship that changed the lives of many for the better. I extend my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Jo Ann Davidson.”
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said, “Speaker Davidson was a great public servant for all Ohioans, but a special advocate for women – first a pioneer, then as a mentor to an entire generation of leaders. Her dedication to public service and her unwavering commitment to empowering others will be remembered and cherished. She leaves behind a remarkable legacy that continues to inspire us all."
Former U.S. Representative Pat Tiberi released the following statement:
“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jo Ann Davidson, a remarkable leader and a true pioneer in Ohio politics. Jo Ann was not only a trailblazer for women in leadership but also a mentor and friend whose influence profoundly shaped my career as a public official.
“I first met Jo Ann as a college student in the mid-1980s. I spent numerous campaigns knocking doors and putting up signs with her before she recruited me in 1992 to run for the Ohio House of Representatives. Much of my journey in public service is a testament to her guidance and encouragement. She believed in me and inspired countless others to strive for excellence in their work.
“Jo Ann's commitment to public service and her ability to bring people together for the common good were qualities that set her apart as a leader. Her leadership, her compassion, her politeness—yet firmness—were remarkable in challenging times.
“Jo Ann’s legacy will continue to resonate in the lives she touched and the policies she championed throughout her time on Earth. Speaker Davidson will be missed, but her impact on Ohio will endure.”
