Republican Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio) announced on Tuesday that he would not run for re-election next year after accepting an offer to become the new president of Youngstown State University (YSU).
“As I’ve stated previously, I wasn’t looking for another job because I love the one I have serving the people of Eastern Ohio in the U.S. House. This was an extremely difficult decision,” the outgoing lawmaker added.
Mr. Johnson, who was first elected to the House in 2010, said he would continue serving as a congressman “for several months” before commencing his position at YSU.
He was elected for a seventh term in Eastern Ohio in November 2022. Mr. Johnson did not specify when he will be starting his new role at the university.
“This is not a goodbye, however,” he stated. “My offices are open and my staff remains ready to serve you.”
“There is still much left on my agenda to do before I depart Congress, including doing all I can to help pass tax exemption legislation to benefit the people of East Palestine as well as a broader rail safety bill, streamline America’s LNG export process, and advance a responsible budget and spending package for the remainder of this fiscal year.”
Mr. Johnson is set to succeed Jim Tressel, the former Ohio State University football coach, who retired as the university’s president in February.
The alumni stated that the board had voted to offer the position to Mr. Johnson during an “emergency meeting” on Nov. 16, which excluded involvement from other stakeholders in the YSU community.
“Any questions regarding Congressman Johnson’s policy positions, if asked, were answered behind closed doors,” the alumni letter reads.
“The Congressman has opposed gay marriage, supported then-President Trump’s ban of travel from majority-Muslim countries, and, without evidence, questioned the validity of the 2020 presidential election.
“These issues cast doubt on his ability to lead YSU’s diverse student body. The Board’s choice to unilaterally move forward with no community input is fundamentally undemocratic in a moment that calls for more, not less, stakeholder participation,” it stated.
Meanwhile, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine supported the board’s decision to hire Mr. Johnson, saying he believes the Republican would be the “right person” to take on the job.
