In a surprising move, Congressman Bill Johnson from Ohio has announced he is stepping away from congress to become the next president of Youngstown State University.
“After much thought and prayerful deliberation, I have accepted the offer to lead Youngstown State University and will not be seeking an 8th term in Congress,” Johnson announced. “As I’ve stated previously, I wasn’t looking for another job, because I love the one I have serving the people of Eastern Ohio in the U.S. House. This was an extremely difficult decision.”
A week ago, University Trustees announced they wanted Johnson as their next president, to which he responded: “Very recently, I was made aware of the opportunity to become president of Youngstown State University by a national executive search firm. I wasn’t looking for another job, because I love serving the people of Eastern Ohio. When I was approached about leading this great university, with student success at the forefront, and helping to prepare the next generation of Americans to lead, I listened.”
Trustees voted 8-1 to confirm Johnson as the next president Tuesday afternoon, but not without pushback.
A petition quickly circulated by alumni, students, faculty, and others encouraging the university to not select Johnson as the next president and to restart the search. Johnson has represented eastern and southeastern Ohio since 2011.
A Facebook event page created by the group Community Concerned for the Future of YSU for a protest called Johnson “anti-democratic.”
“Johnson’s horrific record of insurrectionist and anti-democratic action, hostility towards minorities, and denial of basic climate science are in stark opposition to the principles of public education,” the event page reads.
Johnson will continue to serve in the U.S. House until the end of his term.
“This is not a goodbye, however. I will continue serving in the House for several more months, and you will see no let up,” he said. “There is still much left on my agenda to do before I depart Congress, including doing all I can to help pass tax exemption legislation to benefit the people of East Palestine as well as a broader rail safety bill, streamline America’s LNG export process, and advance a responsible budget and spending package for the remainder of this fiscal year.”