{{Short description|American politician (1952–2024)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Kirk Schuring | office = President pro tempore of the Ohio Senate | term_start = January 3, 2023 | term_end = November 22, 2024 | predecessor = Jay Hottinger | successor = Bill Reineke | office1 = Majority Leader of the Ohio Senate | term_start1 = January 4, 2021 | term_end1 = January 3, 2023 | predecessor1 = Matt Huffman | successor1 = Rob McColley | state_senate2 = Ohio | district2 = 29th | term_start2 = January 3, 2019 | term_end2 = November 22, 2024 | predecessor2 = Scott Oelslager | successor2 = Jane Timken | term_start3 = January 6, 2003 | term_end3 = December 31, 2010 | predecessor3 = Scott Oelslager | successor3 = Scott Oelslager | office4 = Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives | status4 = Acting | term_start4 = April 12, 2018 | term_end4 = June 6, 2018 | predecessor4 = Cliff Rosenberger | successor4 = Ryan Smith | office5 = Speaker pro tempore of the Ohio House of Representatives | term_start5 = January 3, 2017 | term_end5 = December 31, 2018 | predecessor5 = Ron Amstutz | successor5 = Jim Butler | state_house6 = Ohio | district6 = 48th | term_start6 = January 3, 2011 | term_end6 = December 31, 2018 | predecessor6 = Scott Oelslager | successor6 = Scott Oelslager | term_start7 = January 3, 1995 | term_end7 = December 31, 2002 | predecessor7 = David Johnson | successor7 = Scott Oelslager | birth_date = {{birth date|1952|9|17}} | birth_place = Canton, Ohio, U.S. | death_date = {{nowrap|{{death date and age|2024|11|22|1952|9|17}}}} | death_place = Canton, Ohio, U.S. | party = Republican | spouse = Darlene | education = Kent State University | image = J. Kirk Schuring - Ohio Senate 126th General Assembly 2006 - DPLA - bb02896c4b8cfc4ca292faff08e94fc8 (page 17) (cropped).jpg | caption = Schuring in 2006 }}
'''James Kirk Schuring'''<ref name = CR>{{cite news|url = https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/politics/state/2024/11/22/ohio-state-sen-j-kirk-schuring-has-died/71238353007/|title = 'Kirk was a statesman.' Kirk Schuring, Ohio's second-longest serving lawmaker, has died|last1 = Bischoff|first1 = Laura A.|last2 = Botos|first2 = Tim|newspaper = The Repository|date = November 22, 2024|accessdate = November 22, 2024}}</ref> (September 17, 1952 – November 22, 2024) was an American politician of the Republican Party from the state of Ohio. He was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1993 to 2002, and from 2011 to 2018. Schuring also served in the Ohio Senate from 2003 to 2010, before returning in 2018 and serving there until his death.
In 2018, Schuring was interim Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, following the resignation of Speaker Cliff Rosenberger.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pelzer |first1=Jeremy |title=Ohio House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger moves up departure, resigns immediately |url=http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2018/04/ohio_house_speaker_cliff_rosen_4.html |access-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cantonrep.com/news/20180410/ohio-house-speaker-to-resign-schuring-to-take-interim-role|title=Ohio House speaker to resign; Schuring to take interim role|last=Siegel|first=Jim|work=The Repository|access-date=April 19, 2018|language=en}}</ref> Rosenberger resigned amid revelations he was under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/state--regional-govt--politics/ohio-house-speaker-resigns-immediately-won-wait-till-may/FBmOaQsAhDheEgexOpc2QN/|title=Ohio House Speaker resigns immediately; won't wait till May 1|work=daytondailynews|access-date=April 19, 2018}}</ref> He was also the Republican nominee for Ohio's 16th congressional district in the 2008 election.
==Career== Schuring joined his family's insurance agency in Plain Township, Stark County, Ohio, in 1978, and took it over after his father's death two years later.<ref name = CR/> He was president of the Canton Jaycees, the Young Republicans, and the Canton Urban League. He also served as Chairman of the Stark/Wayne Christmas Seal Drive and the Chamber's Vision 1 Committee.
=== Ohio House of Representatives (1993–2002) === In 1993, Schuring was appointed to an open seat in the Ohio House of Representatives vacated by Representative David Johnson. He was elected to his full first term in 1994, and re-elected in 1996, 1998 and 2000, before being term limited in 2002.<ref name = CR/>
=== Ohio Senate (2003–2010) === With both Schuring and Senator Scott Oelslager term limited from their respective positions in 2002, they swapped seats. Schuring won against Democrat Jan Schwartz with 55.6% of the vote in the general election.<ref>Blackwell, Kenneth [http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/electResultsMain/2002Results/ohsen.aspx 2002 general election results] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227153518/http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/electResultsMain/2002Results/ohsen.aspx |date=December 27, 2010 }} (November 3, 2002)</ref> In the 126th General Assembly, Schuring served as Reference Committee Chairman.
In 2006, he defeated Democrat Thomas West again with 55% of the vote.<ref>Blackwell, Kenneth [http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/electResultsMain/2006ElectionsResults/06-1107OHSenate.aspx 2006 general election results] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110916142314/http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/electResultsMain/2006ElectionsResults/06-1107OHSenate.aspx |date=September 16, 2011 }} (November 7, 2006)</ref> He again served as Reference Committee Chairman for the 127th General Assembly.
=== 2008 congressional campaign === When Congressman Ralph Regula announced in late-2007 that he would not seek another term in Congress, Schuring won the Republican nomination to succeed him. His opponent was fellow state Senator John Boccieri, who had been elected to the Senate in 2006.<ref>[http://www.ohio.com/news/break_news/16252716.html Schuring, Boccieri will vie to fill Regula's seat]</ref> While historically a Republican district, Boccieri won with 55.36% of the vote.<ref>Brunner, Jennifer [http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/electResultsMain/2008ElectionResults/congress110408.aspx 2008 general election results] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100811034938/http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/electResultsMain/2008ElectionResults/congress110408.aspx |date=August 11, 2010 }} (November 4, 2008)</ref>
=== Ohio House of Representatives (2011–2019) === Schuring again faced term limits in 2010 in the Senate, and Oelslager too could not run for another term. As a result, they again ran for each other's seats. The maneuver again proved successful, with Schuring defeating Democrat Andrew Haines with 69.2% of the vote in the general election.<ref>Brunner, Jennifer [http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/electResultsMain/2010results/20101102ohouse.aspx 2010 general election results] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110627172201/http://www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/elections/electResultsMain/2010results/20101102ohouse.aspx |date=June 27, 2011 }}(November 2, 2010)</ref>
Schuring was sworn in to begin his second tenure in the House on January 3, 2011. In 2012, Schuring won reelection with 57.34% over Democrat Amanda Trump.
==Political positions== Schuring worked to develop a pension reform plan that doesn't involve hikes to employer contribution to public retirement systems. There's a "sentiment of caution" among many lawmakers in terms of pension reform. He said many lawmakers are "justifiably sensitive to the plight of local governments."<ref>[http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/01/27/copy/police-fire-pension-fund-not-complying-with-state-law.html?adsec=politics&sid=101 Police & Fire pension fund not complying with state law]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> He had been critical to finding a solution in providing a cost efficient and solvent solution to the public pension systems.<ref>{{cite news | first = Darrel | last = Rowland | title = State panel delays voting for pension reviews | date = June 22, 2011 | url = http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/06/22/panel-delays-voting-for-pension-reviews.html?sid=101 | work = Columbus Dispatch | access-date = June 24, 2011 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120730110309/http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/06/22/panel-delays-voting-for-pension-reviews.html?sid=101 | archive-date = July 30, 2012 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
The only Republican to vote against the measure, Schuring joined Democrats in voting against a measure to require a photo ID when casting a ballot in Ohio.<ref>{{cite news | first = William | last = Hershey | title = Ohio House passes bill to have voters show photo ID | date = March 24, 2011 | url = http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/dayton-news/ohio-house-oks-bill-to-have-voters-show-photo-id-1116250.html | work = Dayton Daily News | access-date = March 24, 2011}}</ref> Many{{Who|date=March 2021}} had criticized Republicans for pushing the measure through the legislature.<ref>{{cite news | first = Aaron | last = Marshall | title = Ohio House approves legislation requiring state photo ID to vote | date = March 24, 2011 | url = http://www.cleveland.com/open/index.ssf/2011/03/ohio_house_approves_legislatio.html | work = The Plain Dealer | access-date = March 24, 2011}}</ref>
== Abortion legislation == In 2019, Schuring co-sponsored Ohio Senate Bill 23, often referred to as the "Heartbeat Bill." The law bans most abortions after the detection of a fetal heartbeat, typically around six weeks into pregnancy. It includes no exceptions for rape or incest. Governor Mike DeWine signed the bill into law on April 11, 2019.<ref name="NPR2019">{{Cite web |last=Ingber |first=Sasha |date=2019-04-11 |title=A Bill Banning Most Abortions Becomes Law In Ohio |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/04/11/712455980/a-bill-banning-most-abortions-becomes-law-in-ohio |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=NPR}}</ref>
Schuring’s support of SB 23 aligned with his long-standing record of backing anti-abortion legislation in the Ohio General Assembly. The bill attracted national attention and was swiftly challenged in court.<ref name="LegiScanSB23">{{Cite web |title=Ohio Senate Bill 23 - 2019 |url=https://legiscan.com/OH/bill/SB23/2019 |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=LegiScan}}</ref>
In September 2022, a Hamilton County judge temporarily blocked the enforcement of the law, restoring legal abortion access in Ohio up to 22 weeks of pregnancy while ongoing litigation proceeded.<ref name="ACLU2022">{{Cite web |date=2022-09-14 |title=Ohio Lower Court Blocks Six-Week Abortion Ban, Restoring Reproductive Rights Across State |url=https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/ohio-lower-court-blocks-six-week-abortion-ban-restoring-reproductive-rights-across |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=ACLU}}</ref>
==Personal life and death== Schuring married Darlene Newkirk in 1975, and they had two children.<ref name = CR/> He died from pancreatic cancer at his home on November 22, 2024, at the age of 72.<ref name = CR/>
== See also == *United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio, 2008
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == *[https://web.archive.org/web/20101227140302/http://www.house.state.oh.us/index.php?option=com_displaymembers&task=detail&district=51 The Ohio House of Representatives: Rep. Kirk Schuring (R-Canton)] ''official site'' *[http://www.votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=8388 Project Vote Smart – Senator J. Kirk Schuring (OH)] profile *[http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=434437&Category=3&fromSearch=yes&subCategoryID=37 The Canton Repository Endorses Kirk Schuring]{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} *''Follow the Money'' – Kirk Schuring **[http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=200635&c=422892 2006] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=200435&c=407296 2004] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=200235&c=374705 2002 HD-29] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=200235&c=374704 2002 HD-55] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=200035&c=374502 2000] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=199835&c=374050 1998] [http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=199635&c=373692 1996] campaign contributions
{{s-start}} {{s-par|us-oh-hs}} {{s-bef|before=Ron Amstutz}} {{s-ttl|title=Speaker pro tempore of the Ohio House of Representatives|years=2017–2019}} {{s-aft|after=Jim Butler}} |- {{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=Cliff Rosenberger}} {{s-ttl|title=Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives<br>{{small|Acting}}|years=2018}} {{s-aft|after=Ryan Smith}} |- {{s-par|us-oh-sen}} {{s-bef|before=Matt Huffman}} {{s-ttl|title=Majority Leader of the Ohio Senate|years=2021–2023}} {{s-aft|after=Rob McColley}} |- {{s-bef|before=Bob Peterson}} {{s-ttl|title=President pro tempore of the Ohio Senate|years=2023–2024}} {{s-aft|after=Bill Reineke}} {{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Schuring, Kirk}} Category:1952 births Category:2024 deaths Category:20th-century American businesspeople Category:20th-century members of the Ohio General Assembly Category:21st-century members of the Ohio General Assembly Category:Candidates in the 2008 United States elections Category:Deaths from pancreatic cancer in Ohio Category:Kent State University alumni Category:Politicians from Canton, Ohio Category:Republican Party members of the Ohio House of Representatives Category:Republican Party Ohio state senators