In Columbus, Ohio, arrangements are being made to honor the late Jo Ann Davidson, who made history as the state’s first and only female House speaker. Davidson, a prominent figure in both state and national Republican circles, passed away at the age of 97 on Friday. She will be lying in state at the Ohio Statehouse this Thursday, a privilege that only ten individuals in the state’s history have received, including historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln. The last person to be granted this honor was John Glenn, the former U.S. senator and astronaut, in 2016.
The public viewing of Davidson’s body will be held in the Statehouse Rotunda from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by a funeral service in the Atrium from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend these events, and the funeral service will be streamed live on The Ohio Channel.
Davidson’s political career spans nearly six decades, starting as a volunteer in a Columbus suburb and eventually ascending to major leadership roles, including serving on the local city council, heading the Ohio House, and being co-chair of the Republican National Committee. Notably, she played a crucial role in President George W. Bush’s successful reelection campaign in 2004, which secured a vital victory in Ohio against Democrat John Kerry. She also supported the winning campaign of Republican Governor Bob Taft in 2002 and served as a trusted advisor to former Republican Governors John Kasich and current Governor Mike DeWine.
Her political journey began in 1965 when she ran for the male-dominated Reynoldsburg City Council, though she did not win. However, she persisted and claimed a seat on the council two years later, serving for a decade. In 1980, Davidson transitioned to the Ohio House, where she worked hard and gained respect from both colleagues and constituents over a span of 20 years. This dedication led her peers to elect her as the first female House speaker in 1994, a position she held until she retired due to term limits in 2001. Along with her legislative duties, Davidson was vice president of special programs for the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.
In 2000, Davidson founded the Jo Ann Davidson Ohio Leadership Institute in Columbus, a training hub designed to empower Republican women to pursue leadership roles and public office. Over the years, she personally mentored close to 500 women through this initiative. Additionally, she operated her own consulting firm, JAD & Associates, which focused on public policy, strategic planning, and political campaign consulting.