Jo Ann Davidson
Jo Ann Davidson (born September 28, 1927) is an American politician of the Republican Party. A member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1981 to 2000, she was Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1995–2000. She is also the national committeewoman for Republican Party for Ohio.
Jo Ann Davidson | |
|---|---|
| Republican National Committeewoman from Ohio | |
| Assumed office 2005 | |
| 97th Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives | |
| In office January 3, 1995 – December 31, 2000 | |
| Preceded by | Vern Riffe |
| Succeeded by | Larry Householder |
| Member of the Ohio House of Representatives from the 24th district | |
| In office January 3, 1981 – December 31, 2000 | |
| Preceded by | Alan Norris |
| Succeeded by | Larry Flowers |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 28, 1927 Findlay, Ohio, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
Davidson was appointed to the Ohio Casino Control Commission by Governor John R. Kasich on February 23, 2011. Her term of office ended on February 21, 2018.
Davidson was first elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 1981. Her legislative district consisted of a portion of Franklin County, Ohio. In 1995, she became the first woman elected as Speaker. She was succeeded by Larry L. Flowers in 2001 and became interim director of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services that year.
In 2016, the Capitol Theatre in the Vern Riffe State Office Tower in Columbus, Ohio was renamed in her honor.