Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo stepping down from leadership role

By Megan Henry
Ohio Capital Journal

Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, is stepping down from her leadership role at the end of the month. 

Russo has served as minority leader since January 2022 and she will continue to serve as state representative until her term ends on Dec. 31, 2026. She made the announcement to her caucus Thursday morning. 

“Serving as the Ohio House Minority leader for the last three and a half years has been an incredible honor,” she said in a statement. “It has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding positions I’ve had the privilege to hold.”

Russo was first elected as state representative in November 2018, flipping a previously held Republican seat. She worked in health policy for more than 20 years before entering politics. Russo ran for Congress in 2021, but lost to U.S. Rep. Mike Carey 58% to 42%. 

“Every strong leader knows the importance of a thoughtful transition,” she said in a statement. “At the beginning of this session, I communicated to members that I wanted to remain in leadership through the important state operating budget negotiations.”

Heading into the legislative summer break and the rest of the General Assembly session, however, she said it “is important that I give the next leadership team ample time to thoughtfully and carefully plan how to navigate our caucus priorities after this budget cycle and to continue building our effort to pick up more seats for Democrats in the Ohio House in 2026.”  

Russo also said she wants to focus on her family, policy work and serving her district. 

“My son just graduated high school, and I look forward to spending the summer with him and my family preparing to send him off to college,” said Russo, who has three children. “Any decisions regarding my political future, will come at a later time.”

Russo is term-limited in the House and has been tight-lipped about her future plans. 

During her time as minority leader, Russo has been forced to navigate a Republican supermajority. 

“Over the last few years, my colleagues and I have stood strong in the face of attacks on our most basic rights and values, and despite tough odds we were successful in standing up for all Ohioans,” Russo said.

Ohio Democrats secured a couple of major victories in 2023 — voting down an effort that would have made it harder to pass constitutional amendments, and voting to enshrine abortion and reproductive rights in the state’s constitution. 

Russo’s announcement comes the same month Ohio Democratic Party Chair Liz Walters announced her plan to step down. So far, Dr. Amy Acton is the only Democratic candidate who has announced they are running for governor in 2026. Republican Vivek Ramaswamy is running for governor and Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel is considering running. 

Ohio Supreme Court Judge Jennifer Brunner is the only Democrat in statewide office in Ohio.

“During her time as minority leader, Leader Russo has led Ohio House Democrats in fighting back against threats to our democracy, working to pass legislation that benefits Ohio families, and even picked up democratic seats during a difficult election cycle,” Walters said in a statement. “In an extremely difficult legislature, she has found countless ways to deliver for Ohioans.”

Ohio Senate Minority Leader Nickie J. Antonio, D-Lakewood, said she enjoyed working with Russo. 

“Leader Russo has been a dedicated advocate for working-class Ohioans and a fighter for fairness and justice in our state,” Antonio said in a statement. “I am confident that her voice will remain critical in shaping Ohio’s future, and I look forward to working with the next leader who will inherit the strong foundation she built in the House.”