State Senate Winners and Losers on SB 5

Plunderbund has done a good job of giving us all a blow by blow of what happened with the 17-16 vote in the Ohio Senate that passed SB 5, so rather than re-hash that story, I wanted to analyze which state senators may have particuarly helped or hurt themselves with their votes and overall performance abou the issue:

WINNER: State Sen. Joe Schiavoni (D-Canfield)

Sen. Schiavoni, who represents the Youngstown-area 33rd Senate District, really made a name for himself with his work on SB 5. His office put out a detailed analysis of SB 5 that debunks many of the GOP's claims about the bill's potential cost savings, and his office responded quickly to citizen questions about the bill even from people who don't live in his district.  I had the privilege of touring the Youngstown Business Incubator with Sen. Schiavoni shortly after his appointment to the seat, and his leadership in this matter has cemented my view that, at only 31 years old, Sen. Schiavoni has to be considered amongst the rising stars of the Ohio Democratic Party.

LOSER: State Sen. Frank LaRose (R-Akron)

I honestly believe that State Sen. LaRose did not want to vote for this bill. Given that his people tried three different times to reach the Plundercrew and tell them that he wasn't supporting the bill, I believe LaRose was on the fence until the very last minute. But in the end, LaRose is a Summit County GOPer, and therefore must answer to the Devil Incarnate himself, Alex Arshinkoff. Arshinkoff was one of the earliest and most fervent supporters of Gov. Kasich. Arshinkoff just got himself a cushy job lobbying Gov. Kasich on behalf of the University of Akron ($10,000 a month? I'd take that gig). Bottom line, Arshinkoff was not going to let someone from his back yard screw this up for Kasich. Period end. LaRose may well lose re-election, but Arshinkoff will make sure he gets a well funded shot at re-election and a new gig if he loses. He had to do it. 

LOSER: State Sen. Jimmy Stewart (R-Athens)

Just read what David wrote. This guy's ass is grass.

WINNER: State Sen. Tom Patton (R-Strongsville)

Sen. Patton's No vote on SB 5 adds to his somewhat undeserved reputation as a moderate Cuyahoga County GOPer. With the Congressional pencils sharepend right now to re-draw Ohio's district lines, I wouldn't be surprised if the Ohio GOP re-draws Dennis Kucinich's district in such a way as to put this guy in position to win. Sure, the Tea Partiers won't like him, but the Tea Party can't win in Cuyahoga.