Gongwer: Senator Kearney to lead Senate minority caucus

Senate Democrats announced Tuesday they have chosen Senator Eric Kearney of Cincinnati to replace Senator Capri Cafaro of Hubbard as minority leader.

Lawmakers said the transition in caucus leadership was based on Senator Cafaro's desire to focus more on issues in her district, and hand control to another legislator who can allocate more time to the job in a presidential election year.

The caucus' new leadership team includes Senator Joe Schiavoni of Youngstown as assistant minority leader, Senator Nina Turner of Cleveland as minority whip and Senator Edna Brown of Toledo as assistant minority whip.

Each official was elected to his or her leadership post by unanimous vote, Senators Kearney and Cafaro said.