“Throughout my career in the public service I have worked to promote policies that boost our economy, get people to work and put our country’s tax house in order,” Stivers said in his statement. “Therefore, I look forward to this new opportunity with the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, where I can continue my efforts to support free enterprise and economic growth here in Ohio.”
Currently, the House balance is 218 Democrats and 212 Republicans with five vacancies. With the departure of Stivers, Republicans would have 211. The date for a special election to fill the seat has not yet been determined, a decision left by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine.
Although Stivers is the first member of the Republican House to announce his resignation in the near future, five others have said they will leave the House at the end of their term, including two seeking senior positions. Three Democrats have already resigned from the House to join the Biden administration and three others have said they will not run again in 2022.
The 15th District of the State Congress, which includes parts of Columbus and its suburbs, as well as more rural areas, has a distinctive Republican tendency. Former President Donald Trump gained 56.3% in the district in 2020, a slight improvement over 2016. Stivers outperformed Trump by 63% last November in the district.
First elected in 2010, Stivers serves on the Financial Services Committee. He also chaired the National Committee of the Republican Congress, the arm of the House Republican campaign, during the 2018 election cycle, when his party lost 40 seats.
Prior to joining Congress, Stivers served in the Ohio state senate. He is also a member of the Ohio Army National Guard and earned a bronze star for his service during Operation Iraqi Freedom in Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar and Djibouti.
This story has been updated on Monday with additional news.