COLUMBUS, Ohio --- Republican state representatives Derek Merrin (R-Monclova), Ron Ferguson (R-Wintersville), and Phil Plummer (R-Dayton) have filed a lawsuit in the Franklin County Common Pleas Court against House Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill). The lawsuit claims Rep. Stephens shouldn't retain control of the Ohio House's GOP campaign fund.

What You Need To Know

  • A recent lawsuit filed against the Speaker of the House is stirring controversy 

  • Rep. Derek Merrin is suing to take control of the House GOP campaign fund away from Rep. Jason Stephens

  • The House republicans campaign fund has $1 million in it

"I have been in Ohio for nearly 40 years," Jonathan Entin, Professor of Law Case Western Reserve University said. "This is the first time that I've ever been aware of this kind of dispute over who controls the campaign funds winding up in court." 

"This battle is about the internal civil war that's raging," David Cohen, Political Science Professor at the University of Akron said.  

Right now, at issue is who is n charge of the $1 million inside the House Republicans campaign fund. At the moment, House Speaker Jason Stephens is apart of running the fund.

"A campaign committee exists to help and support candidates fundraising and spending money," State Rep. Derek Merrin said.  And, that's what has not been put into the local elected leaders hands. We believe it's very important that the law be followed and the law be enforced." 

"I find it pretty interesting if you go in and you can look at the finance reports," Jason Stephens said. " You guys can do some reporting there, you'll see that over half of our caucus is given to the given to the caucus.There's a lot of participation. People are ready to to move on. And I think it will you know, it's going to bear out." 

In addition to suing for control of the fund, Merrin and his team are asking for $400,000 in reimbursements and damages. But, regardless of who gets control in the end political experts say the in-fighting among republicans both here in Ohio and on the national level could pose a problem for the party going forward.

"I don't think people can have much confidence right now in the Republican Party," Cohen said. "In the U.S. House of Representatives, on the national level or very much at the state level. I mean, these are, you know, internal battles that usually don't typically come out in public view, you know, for everybody to see. And, it's embarrassing to the party."