Athens’ State Sen. Jimmy Stewart to Resign Seat

By BRIAN PETERS on 05/25/2011 11:52 am / no comments

Republican State Sen. Jimmy Stewart will resign his office this July.

Republican State Sen. Jimmy Stewart announced Tuesday that he will be resigning from his seat, effective this July. He has represented the 20th senate district, which includes nine counties in Southeast Ohio including Athens, since 2008.

Stewart released a brief statement Tuesday announcing the decision., but has yet to state any further details.

“At this time, I will be pursuing a fantastic opportunity in the private sector that I’ve accepted,” Stewart said.

Stewart has a long history of public sector work, especially in Athens County where he served as City Auditor and on City Council. He preceded Debbie Phillip’s in the Ohio House as a representative for three terms in house district 92.

The announcement comes on the heels of his controversial yes vote on Senate Bill 5, an anti-union piece of legislation in a pro-union district.

Ohio Senate President Tom Niehaus released a statement shortly after Stewart’s resignation praising the work that did during his time in the Ohio Senate.

“I appreciate Senator Stewart’s service to the Ohio Senate. He has been a tireless advocate for the people of Southeast Ohio and an outstanding public servant in the General Assembly for the past eight years,” Niehaus said in the statement.

A replacement for Stewart will be announced within the next few weeks.

This is a developing story and will be updated throughout the day.