Ohio’s First Female House Speaker Jo Ann Davidson Dies at 97

Jo Ann Davidson, co-chair of the Republican National Committee, speaks at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., on Sept. 2, 2008. Ron Edmonds/AP Photo

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.