The seven living Ohio House speakers were on hand in the Statehouse rotunda Tuesday for the unveiling of seven portraits of former speakers.

At the behest of current Speaker Cliff Rosenberger, R-Clarksville, a trio of artists painted portraits of House speakers dating back to 1967. He said during the late morning ceremony that people already get to see the portraits of Senate presidents in the Statehouse, and this will add the speakers as well.

“It’s an awesome opportunity to be able to experience this,” he said.

Laura Battocletti, executive director of the Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board, said the portraits “help tell the story of Ohio history.”

“It’s fantastic, just amazing,” former Speaker William G. Batchelder said while standing beside his portrait as some in attendance stopped by to look and say hello. One of the longest-serving lawmakers in state history, he was speaker from 2011-15.

Secretary of State Jon Husted, who was speaker from 2005-2009, looked at his portrait and noted he’s in better shape now than he was back then.

Other portraits included Democrat Armond Budish (2009-11), Rep. Larry Householder, R-Glenford, (2001-05), Democrat Vernal G. Riffe Jr. (1975-95), Democrat A.G. Lancione (1973-75), and Republican Charles Kurfess (1967-72). Former Republican Speaker Jo Ann Davidson (1995-99) already has a Statehouse portrait as Ohio’s first female speaker.

The portraits will be hung outside the speaker's ceremonial Statehouse office.

jsiegel@dispatch.com

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