COLUMBUS, Ohio—Jo Ann Davidson, Ohio’s first woman House speaker, died Friday. She was 97.
Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, a long-time friend, announced Davidson’s death in a statement, calling her “a model public servant who was full of wit, intelligence, class and skill.” He ordered flags on government buildings across the state flown at half-staff in her honor.
During a political career of nearly 60 years, Davidson went from being a volunteer in the Columbus suburb to being elected to the local city council, leading the Ohio House and serving as co-chair of the Republican National Committee.
As speaker, Davidson succeeded the retiring Vernal G. Riffe, a powerful Democrat who spent a state-record 20 years in the job.