Steve Stivers

Steven Ernst Stivers is a former American politician and businessman who served as the U.S. Representative for Ohio's 15th congressional district from 2011 until 2021. A member of the Republican Party, Stivers held various leadership roles during his tenure, including chairing the National Republican Congressional Committee. His career also includes significant military service as a Major General in the Ohio Army National Guard, where he commanded a battalion during active duty in Iraq. Following his congressional service, Stivers transitioned to a leadership role in the private sector as the president and CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.

Early life and career

Steve Stivers was born on March 24, 1965, in Ripley, Ohio. He is the son of Carol Sue (née Pulliam) and Ernst Bambach Stivers. Stivers' early life was marked by his achievement of the Eagle Scout Award, reflecting a commitment to leadership and community service from a young age. He pursued higher education at The Ohio State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and international relations in 1989, followed by a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 1996. During his time at Ohio State, he became a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity, which is known for its emphasis on leadership and service.

Stivers began his professional career in the finance sector, spending seven years at Bank One, where he gained experience in banking and financial services. He later worked for three years at the Ohio Company and served as the finance director for the Franklin County Republican Party for two years. Additionally, he spent five years as a staff member in the Ohio Senate, where he developed a deeper understanding of legislative processes and governance. Stivers also worked as a Series 7 licensed securities trader, further enhancing his financial expertise.

House tenure

Stivers' political career began in earnest when he was appointed to the Ohio Senate in January 2003, following the resignation of Republican Priscilla Mead. He successfully won re-election in 2004, serving in the Ohio Senate until December 2008. His tenure in the state legislature included leadership roles on various committees, such as chairing the Insurance, Commerce and Labor Committee and serving as vice-chair of the Finance and Financial Institutions Committee.

In November 2007, Stivers announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives, seeking to represent Ohio's 15th congressional district, a seat that was being vacated by retiring Republican Deborah Pryce. In his first attempt in 2008, Stivers lost to Democratic candidate Mary Jo Kilroy by a narrow margin. However, he returned to the political arena in 2010, winning the Republican primary with a significant majority and subsequently defeating Kilroy in the general election.

Stivers' congressional career spanned six terms, beginning in 2011. He was re-elected multiple times, benefiting from favorable redistricting that made the 15th district more supportive of Republican candidates. His electoral successes included victories in 2012, 2014, and 2016, where he consistently garnered a substantial percentage of the vote against his Democratic opponents. Throughout his time in Congress, Stivers was recognized for his bipartisan efforts, ranking as one of the more bipartisan members of the House during the 114th and 115th Congresses.

On May 16, 2021, Stivers resigned from Congress to take on a new role as the president and CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. His resignation triggered a special election to fill his seat, which was won by fellow Republican Mike Carey.

Legislative focus and committees

During his time in the U.S. House of Representatives, Stivers focused on a range of legislative issues, with particular emphasis on budgetary and economic matters. He consistently advocated for fiscal responsibility, opposing measures to raise the debt limit without corresponding spending cuts or reforms. Stivers supported a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and voted in favor of legislation aimed at offsetting disaster relief spending through discretionary budget cuts. He also took a pledge against tax increases and supported the tax reform legislation enacted during the Trump administration in 2017.

Stivers was involved in efforts to dismantle certain financial regulations established by the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, reflecting his commitment to reducing regulatory burdens on businesses. He voted to repeal rules that would have restricted financial services companies from including mandatory arbitration clauses in contracts and supported initiatives to audit the Federal Reserve System.

In terms of government funding, Stivers voted for a stopgap measure to end a federal government shutdown in January 2018. However, during the partial government shutdown from December 2018 to January 2019, he opposed several proposals to reopen the government that did not include funding for a U.S.-Mexico border wall. In March 2021, he and all House Republicans voted against the American Rescue Plan Act, an economic stimulus package designed to address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stivers also engaged in health care policy, voting in favor of the American Health Care Act, which aimed to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. His legislative actions reflected a broader Republican agenda focused on reducing government involvement in health care and promoting market-based solutions.

Overall, Steve Stivers' tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives was characterized by a focus on fiscal conservatism, economic growth, and a commitment to military service, which he balanced with his responsibilities as a legislator and community leader.