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Steven Ernst Stivers (/ˈstaɪvərz/ STY-vərz; born March 24, 1965) is an American businessman, soldier, and politician who was the U.S. representative for Ohio's 15th congressional district from 2011 until 2021. He is a member of the Republican Party, and became chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee in 2017. Stivers previously served in the Ohio Senate, representing the 15th district. He is a major general in the Ohio Army National Guard, serving as the Assistant Adjutant General, and served active duty in Iraq as a battalion commander until December 2005. On May 16, 2021, he resigned his seat to become the president and CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.[1]

Key Information

Early life and education

[edit]

Stivers was born and grew up in Ripley, Ohio, the son of Carol Sue (née Pulliam) and Ernst Bambach Stivers.[2] Steve is a recipient of the Eagle Scout Award.[3]

Stivers attended the Ohio State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and international relations in 1989 and an MBA in 1996.[4] While attending Ohio State he joined the Delta Upsilon fraternity.[5]

Career

[edit]

Stivers spent seven years at Bank One, three years at the Ohio Company, two years as finance director for the Franklin County Republican Party and five years as a staff member in the Ohio Senate.[6] Stivers worked as a Series 7 licensed securities trader with the Ohio Company.[6]

Military service

[edit]
Stivers in uniform, 2020

Stivers has served in the Ohio Army National Guard since 1985 and holds the rank of Major General in the Logistics branch. Stivers was called to active duty while serving in the Ohio Senate in October 2004. It was then that Stivers served in Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, and Djibouti as battalion commander until December 2005. He was awarded a Bronze Star for his accomplishments as a battalion commander during Operation Iraqi Freedom.[6]

Ohio Senate

[edit]

Elections

[edit]

In December 2002, Republican Priscilla Mead resigned after serving in the Ohio Senate for only a year.[7] Stivers was recommended by a Senate screening committee and was appointed by election of the Senate Republicans on January 4, 2003. He won re-election in 2004 to a full senate term with 58% of the vote.[8]

Tenure

[edit]

Stivers served in the Ohio Senate from January 9, 2003, until December 2008.

Committee assignments

[edit]

Stivers was the Chairman of the Insurance, Commerce and Labor Committee; Vice-Chair of the Finance and Financial Institutions Committee; and served on the Ways and Means Committee, the Judiciary Committee on Civil Justice, the Judiciary Committee for Criminal Justice, and the Controlling Board.[9]

U.S. House of Representatives

[edit]

Elections

[edit]

2008

[edit]
See also: 2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio § District 15

In November 2007, Stivers announced he would run for election to Congress in Ohio's 15th District, a seat held by retiring Republican member Deborah Pryce. He won the Republican nomination and ran against Democratic Franklin County Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy, who had nearly unseated Pryce in 2006, Libertarian Mark Noble and Independent Don Elijah Eckhart. Stivers lost by 2,311 votes, conceding on December 7, 2008, after a long vote recount.[10]

2010

[edit]
John Boehner, the then-House Minority Leader, campaigning for fellow Ohio Congressman Steve Stivers (left) during the 2010 midterm elections
See also: 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio § District 15

Stivers won the Republican primary with 82% of the vote.[11][12] He again faced Democratic incumbent Mary Jo Kilroy along with Constitution Party nominee David Ryon and Libertarian nominee William J. Kammerer. On November 2, 2010, Kilroy conceded to Stivers, who won by a 54% to 42% margin.[10]

2012

[edit]
See also: 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio § District 15

Redistricting after the 2010 census made the 15th much friendlier to Stivers. During his first term, he represented a fairly compact district covering all of Union and Madison counties, as well as most of downtown and western Columbus. The new map, however, pushed the 15th into more rural and exurban territory south and west of the capital.[citation needed]

Stivers ran again in 2012 against Democratic nominee Pat Lang.[13] He was endorsed by the NRA, National Right to Life, Ohio State Medical Association and United States Chamber of Commerce. Stivers was re-elected by 76,397 votes.[14]

2014

[edit]
See also: 2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio § District 15

Stivers ran in 2014 against Democratic Scott Wharton. Gaining more than 66 percent of the vote, he was reelected for a third term.[15]

2016

[edit]
See also: 2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Ohio § District 15

Stivers ran in 2016 against Democrat Scott Wharton for the OH-15 seat. Winning 66.2% (222,847) of the vote to Wharton's 33.8% (113,960).[16]

Tenure

[edit]

The Lugar Center and the McCourt School of Public Policy ranked Stivers as the 36th and 37th most bipartisan member of the U.S. House during the 114th (2015–17) and 115th Congresses.[17][18] His resignation triggered a special election in 2021 which was won by fellow republican Mike Carey.

Budget, taxation, and other economic issues

[edit]

Stivers has voted against raising the debt limit when there was no offset or systemic reform and supports prioritizing spending in the event that the debt limit is reached.[19][20] Stiver voted in favor of a Balanced Budget Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.[21] Stivers voted to offset the costs of disaster relief spending through discretionary budget cuts.[20]

Stivers took a pledge to not support any tax raises.[19] He voted in favor of the Trump administration's 2017 tax legislation.[21]

Stivers voted in favor of legislation to dismantle financial regulations enacted by the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.[21] He voted to repeal a rule that would have barred some financial services companies from including mandatory arbitration clauses in contracts.[21]

He voted to audit the Federal Reserve System.[19]

Stivers voted in favor of a stopgap funding measure to end the January 2018 federal government shutdown, but during the December 2018 to January 2019 partial federal government shutdown, Stivers voted against several pieces of legislation to reopen the federal government without appropriating money for a U.S.-Mexico border wall.[21]

In March 2021, all House Republicans including Stivers voted against the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, an economic stimulus bill aimed at speeding up the United States' recovery from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing recession.[22]

Health care

[edit]

Stivers voted in favor of the American Health Care Act of 2017, legislation that would have partially repealed the Affordable Care Act.[21]

Energy and environment

[edit]

Stivers voted against a measure to block President Trump from withdrawing the United States from the Paris Agreement on climate change.[21] Stivers voted against carbon tax.[21] He voted in favor of Congressional Review Act legislation that repealed the Stream Protection Rule, and voted in favor of a measure to delay implementation of the ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) program.[21] He opposes federal regulations on efficiency standards.[19]

Gun control

[edit]

Stivers voted against legislation to require universal background checks for firearm purchases.[21] He voted in favor of making concealed-carry permits issued in one state valid in other states.[21] He voted against a measure to grant law enforcement agencies additional time to conduct firearm-purchase background checks.[21]

Foreign policy

[edit]

In 2019, Stivers voted against legislation to halt U.S. military assistance to the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen.[21] He voted in favor of 2017 legislation to impose additional sanctions against Russia, Iran, and North Korea, which passed on a 419–3 vote.[21]

Immigration and travel

[edit]

Stivers opposed President Donald Trump's issuance of Executive Order 13769, which imposed a temporary ban on entry to the U.S. to citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries, in 2017. Stivers stated: "I believe the executive order risks violating our nation's values and fails to differentiate mainstream Islamic partners from radical Islamic terrorists — setting back our fight against radical Islam. I urge the Administration to quickly replace this temporary order with permanent improvements in the visa vetting process."[23]

In 2019, Stivers voted against overriding Trump's veto of a bill to overturn Trump's declaration of an emergency to direct funding for the construction of a U.S.-Mexico border wall.[21]

Privacy and technology

[edit]

Stivers voted to rescind a Federal Communications Commission regulation that barred Internet service providers from sharing data on the Web activities of their customers.[21] Stivers voted in favor of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 Amendments Act of 2008, including a provision reauthorizing a warrantless spying program.[21] Strivers voted against a measure that would have curtailed the power of officials to "search and read private messages collected incidentally" under Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act authorities.[21]

Stivers voted against the restoration of the net neutrality rule.[21]

Social issues

[edit]

Stivers voted in favor of federal legislation to ban abortion after the 20th week of pregnancy.[21] He voted against repealing a rule that barred state and local governments from refusing to distribute federal funds to any Federally Qualified Health Center on the basis that that health center also performed abortions.[21] Stivers voted against a measure to oppose the Trump administration's ban on openly transgender Americans serving in the U.S. military.[21]

Social Security

In 2018, Stivers called for some form of bipartisan Social Security reform.[24]

National Republican Congressional Committee

[edit]

Stivers beat Representative Roger Williams to be elected to chair the National Republican Congressional Committee in November 2016. As the leader of the NRCC, which is charged with helping elect Republican House candidates, Stivers said his goal was to "defy history" by protecting his party's House majority in the 2018 elections.[25] In June 2018, Stivers did not denounce the use of hacked materials in election campaigns, saying that as chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee he wouldn't "run down one of my candidates for using something that's in the public domain."[26] In a later interview in September 2018, Stivers made it clear he did not condone the use of hacked material, telling the press, "We are not seeking stolen or hacked material, we do not want to be stolen or hacked material, we have no intention of using stolen or hacked material."[27]

In the aftermath of the 2018 election, in which Republicans lost their House majority, Stivers announced that he would not run for re-election as NRCC chair.[28]

Candidate conduct

[edit]

In response to congressional candidate Greg Gianforte being charged with assault on the eve of Montana's special election,[29] Stivers characterized the assault as "out of character." He said, "we all make mistakes" and "need to let the facts surrounding this incident unfold."[30] The assault was witnessed by four Fox News reporters and the victim's account corroborated by their audio recording.[31]

In July 2018, Stivers and the NRCC withdrew support from New Jersey candidate Seth Grossman following reports he shared a post from a white supremacist.[32]

Additionally, days before the midterm elections, Stivers sent a tweet condemning white nationalist comments and actions from Congressman Steve King, saying "We must stand up against white supremacy and hate in all forms can and I strongly condemn this behavior."[33]

Committee assignments

[edit]

Caucus memberships

[edit]

Electoral history

[edit]
Election results[39]
Year Office Election Subject Party Votes % Opponent Party Votes % Opponent Party Votes % Opponent Party Votes %
2004 Ohio Senate General Steve Stivers Republican 95,251 57.58% Katherine Thomsen Democratic 55,656 33.65% Don Eckhart Independent 14,509 8.77%
2008 U.S. House of Representatives General Steve Stivers Republican 137,272 45.18% Mary Jo Kilroy Democratic 139,584 45.94% Mark M. Noble Libertarian 14,061 4.63% Don Eckhart Independent 12,915 4.25% *
2010 U.S. House of Representatives General Steve Stivers Republican 119,471 54.16% Mary Jo Kilroy Democratic 91,077 41.29% William Kammerer Libertarian 6,116 2.77% David Ryon Constitution 3,887 1.76% **
2012 U.S. House of Representatives General Steve Stivers Republican 205,277 61.56% Pat Lang Democratic 128,188 38.44%
2014 U.S. House of Representatives General Steve Stivers Republican 128,496 66.02% Scott Wharton Democratic 66,125 33.98%
2016 U.S. House of Representatives General Steve Stivers Republican 222,847 66.17% Scott Wharton Democratic 113,960 33.84%
2018 U.S. House of Representatives General Steve Stivers Republican 166,632 58.54% Rick Neal Democratic 112,546 39.54% Jonathan Miller Libertarian 5,477 1.92%
2020 U.S. House of Representatives General Steve Stivers Republican 243,103 63.43% Joel Newby Democratic 140,183 36.57%

*Write-in candidate Travis Casper received 6 votes (0.00197%)
**Write-in candidate Bill Buckel received 45 votes (0.02%)

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Steve Stivers

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Steven Ernst Stivers (born March 24, 1965) is an American politician, retired , and business executive who served as the U.S. Representative for from 2011 to 2021. A member of the Republican Party, Stivers previously held seats in the from 1997 to 2002 and the Ohio State Senate from 2003 to 2008, focusing on and veterans' issues during his state legislative tenure. In , he served on the House Financial Services Committee, contributing to legislation on banking regulation and economic policy, and chaired the from 2017 to 2019 to support Republican House candidates. Stivers enlisted in the in 1985, rising to the rank of after more than 30 years of service, including a deployment to in 2005–2006 as a leading over 400 personnel in combat operations. He resigned from in May 2021 to become president and CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, where he advocates for pro-business policies to foster in the state.

Early life and education

Upbringing and family

Steven Ernst Stivers was born on March 24, 1965, in , . He grew up in the small town of Ripley in southern , where he attended Ripley-Union-Lewis High School. Stivers was the son of Ernst Bambach Stivers and Carol Sue Stivers (née Pulliam), who emphasized the values of family, hard work, and during his upbringing. He has a twin brother, Alan Ernst Stivers, and a sister, Druann Kendrick. Stivers later married Karen Stivers, with whom he has two children, and Sam.

Academic background

Stivers earned a degree in from The Ohio State University in 1989. He subsequently obtained a from the same university in 1996. In addition to his civilian education, Stivers completed a Master of at the U.S. Army War College from 2010 to 2012. These qualifications supported his subsequent military and professional roles, though his primary academic focus was on and business administration.

Pre-political career

Military service

Steven Ernst Stivers enlisted in the in 1985 and was commissioned as a in 1988 through the program. He served in the branch, accumulating over 30 years of service before retiring as a major general. In October 2004, while serving in the Ohio State Senate, Stivers was called to and deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004 to 2005, commanding the 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment in locations including , , , and , where he led approximately 400 soldiers and contractors. Stivers held various command and staff positions within the , including commander of the 174th Regional Training Institute Regiment in , from October 2012 to 2016, and Assistant Adjutant General at the Ohio Joint Force Headquarters starting in November 2020. He was promoted to in 2017 and to in 2020, becoming one of the highest-ranking currently serving members of at the time of his promotion. Stivers retired from the in 2021.

Business and government relations

Prior to entering elective office, Stivers held the position of of Government Relations at , a major Ohio-based banking institution, from August 1995 to May 2003. In this role, he managed activities and advocated for the bank's policy interests with state and federal lawmakers, leveraging his background in and to navigate regulatory and legislative environments affecting the financial sector. , headquartered in Columbus, focused on commercial banking and consumer during this period, and Stivers' work contributed to efforts bridging corporate objectives with governmental . This experience positioned Stivers at the intersection of business operations and , where he addressed issues such as banking regulations and initiatives pertinent to Ohio's financial industry. His tenure at Bank One, which later merged into , provided practical insights into the regulatory challenges faced by financial institutions, informing his subsequent approaches to fiscal and economic matters in .

Ohio State Senate

Elections and campaigns

Stivers was appointed to the Ohio State Senate's 16th district seat on January 6, 2003, following the resignation of the incumbent. He won a full four-year term in the 2004 election after securing the Republican nomination unopposed in the March 2 primary. In the November 2, 2004, , Stivers defeated Democratic nominee Katherine Thomsen, a from Grandview Heights, and Non-Partisan candidate Don Eckhart. Stivers received 95,251 votes (57.58 percent), Thomsen 55,656 votes (33.65 percent), and Eckhart 14,509 votes (8.77 percent), all cast in Franklin County, which comprised the district. The victory margin over Thomsen was 39,595 votes. Stivers' campaign raised $1,051,431, emphasizing his , background, and support for tax cuts and . Stivers did not seek re-election to the Senate in 2008, opting instead to pursue the Republican nomination for .

Legislative tenure and priorities

Stivers was appointed to the State Senate in January 2003 to represent the 16th district, filling a vacancy, and won election to a full term in November 2004 with 57% of the vote against Democrat . He was reelected in 2006 and served until December 2008, when he resigned to pursue a congressional bid. During his tenure as a Republican in the minority, Stivers focused on , , and job creation, often advocating against tax increases and for business-friendly reforms. Stivers chaired the Senate Insurance Committee and served on key panels including Finance and Small Business, where he prioritized reforms to Ohio's system to reduce costs for employers while maintaining benefits. He supported passage of a conservative state budget emphasizing spending restraint and contributed to the largest reduction in history, aimed at easing burdens on homeowners and businesses. Additionally, Stivers advocated for freezing tuition rates at public colleges to improve affordability and access for students. In , Stivers worked to expand medical coverage options for disabled Ohioans, sponsoring or supporting measures to integrate them into state programs without broadening overall entitlements. His legislative efforts reflected a commitment to intervention, with accomplishments including opposition to expansive and promotion of private-sector growth initiatives, though as a minority member, many proposals faced Democratic resistance in the Democrat-controlled chamber post-2006.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

Stivers won election to in , defeating Democratic incumbent Mary Jo Kilroy amid a national Republican midterm surge. The district, previously held by Kilroy since 2008, shifted Republican in the wave election, with Stivers securing the seat as part of broader GOP gains in . Redistricting following the 2010 census altered Ohio's 15th district to include more conservative areas around Columbus, enhancing its Republican tilt. In 2012, Stivers defeated Democratic state representative Pat Lang to secure re-election. He won subsequent terms in 2014 against Democrat , prevailing decisively in the solidly Republican district. Stivers' 2016 re-election came against Democrat Jeffrey Wharton, with Stivers leading by 32 percentage points. In 2018, amid Democratic national gains, he held the seat against state representative Rick Neal, receiving 58.3% of the vote. Stivers did not seek re-election in 2020, opting instead for a role in the .
Election YearOpponentStivers Vote ShareMargin
2010Mary Jo Kilroy (D)54%+13%
2012Pat Lang (D)59%+17%
2014Scott Wharton (D)67%+34%
2016Jeffrey Wharton (D)65%+32%
2018Rick Neal (D)58%+21%

Committee assignments and caucus roles

Stivers was assigned to the House Committee on Financial Services upon entering the 112th in January 2011, where he contributed to legislation addressing banking regulations, insurance, and capital markets, including sponsoring H.R. 1539 to repeal a provision of the Dodd-Frank Act that restricted certain investment options. He served on subcommittees such as Investor Protection, Entrepreneurship, and Capital Markets, and later and Insurance, eventually rising to ranking Republican member on the Subcommittee on and Community Development. This assignment aligned with his background in business and finance, allowing oversight of economic policies impacting Ohio's financial sector. In December 2014, Stivers was appointed to the House Committee on Rules for the 114th (2015–2017), a role that involved shaping the legislative process by setting debate rules and amendments for bills reaching the House floor. He continued on the Rules Committee through subsequent terms, participating in hearings on procedural reforms, such as proposed changes for the 115th . This shift from reflected his growing influence within Republican leadership, emphasizing efficient governance and fiscal restraint. Stivers held leadership roles in several bipartisan caucuses. In February 2018, he co-founded and co-chaired the Congressional Civility and Respect Caucus with Representative (D-OH), aimed at fostering civil discourse and mutual respect among members amid partisan tensions. He also co-chaired the Congressional Vision Caucus with Representative David Price (D-NC), advocating for federal funding and policies to improve eye health and prevent blindness, including support for vision research and access to care. These roles underscored his emphasis on collaborative, issue-specific efforts beyond party lines.

Economic and fiscal policy

During his tenure in the U.S. from 2011 to 2021, Steve Stivers advocated for pro-growth economic policies emphasizing tax reductions, regulatory relief for small businesses, and fiscal restraint to address federal deficits. As a member of the House Financial Services Committee, he focused on promoting capital access and to bolster in Ohio's 15th district, which includes and financial sectors. Stivers supported the of 2017, voting in favor of the version on November 16, 2017, which reduced individual and corporate tax rates, doubled the standard deduction, and aimed to stimulate investment and job creation. He argued that the measure would provide relief to middle-class families and small businesses in central , aligning with Republican efforts to offset prior tax increases and foster economic expansion following the 2008 recession. On , Stivers pushed for spending controls and a to , testifying in support during House Judiciary Committee hearings on the issue in , citing the federal debt's approach to $20 trillion as evidence of unsustainable deficits driven by unchecked expenditures. He conditioned debt ceiling increases on reforms to curb long-term liabilities, including during 2011 negotiations where freshmen Republicans, including Stivers, demanded a as a prerequisite for raising the limit. Stivers sponsored bills to enhance economic resilience, such as H.R. 3666, the Support Technology and Research for Our Nation's Growth and Economic Resilience (STRONGER) Patents Act of 2019, which sought to strengthen protections to encourage and investment. Additionally, he introduced H.R. 299 in , the Capital Access for Small Community Financial Institutions Act, facilitating privately placed asset-backed securities for community banks to improve lending capacity for small businesses without increasing . These initiatives reflected his emphasis on reducing regulatory burdens while prioritizing job creation and .

National security and foreign affairs

Stivers, drawing on his experience as a Major General in the and his deployment to as a battalion from 2005 to 2006, advocated for a strong U.S. military posture during his tenure in the from 2011 to 2021. He consistently supported annual National Defense Authorization Acts (NDAAs), voting in favor of the 2016 NDAA (H.R. 1735), which authorized $612 billion for defense programs including military pay raises and equipment modernization, and the 2021 NDAA (H.R. 6395), passed by a 335-78 vote, which allocated $740.5 billion for defense amid tensions with and . These votes reflected his emphasis on maintaining U.S. military readiness and deterring adversaries through sustained funding and capabilities enhancement. On Middle East policy, Stivers opposed premature U.S. withdrawal from , voting against measures to remove American forces and endorsing additional troops for General Stanley McChrystal's surge request to stabilize the region and combat resurgence. He supported a continued U.S. presence in the to counter and Iranian influence, while voting to require congressional approval for military actions in in 2011, emphasizing constitutional war powers. Regarding Iran, Stivers criticized the 2015 (JCPOA) as a "dangerously weak agreement" that failed to prevent development, lifted sanctions without sufficient verification, and empowered Tehran's support for , urging its disapproval and additional sanctions even if they risked derailing negotiations. In addressing , Stivers co-sponsored legislation condemning the Chinese government's forced organ harvesting from prisoners and other minorities, calling for U.S. public condemnation and travel bans on perpetrators, highlighting abuses as a concern intertwined with Beijing's aggressive . He opposed the U.N. in 2012, co-sponsoring a resolution against it for potentially restricting U.S. arms exports to allies like and while failing to constrain proliferators. Stivers' positions aligned with a realist view prioritizing military strength, allied support, and skepticism toward multilateral agreements that could undermine U.S. leverage, informed by his assessment of threats from revisionist powers and non-state actors.

Health care and social issues

Stivers opposed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), voting for its full in January 2011 during his first week in and criticizing its mandates as infringements on individual choice. He supported market-based alternatives, including health savings accounts, small business insurance pools, and the Ryan Budget's Medicare reforms emphasizing choice and spending cuts over government expansion. In May 2017, Stivers voted for the American Act (AHCA), a Republican-led bill to repeal Obamacare's , expansion, and insurance regulations while providing tax credits and block grants, though he acknowledged it as imperfect. He also backed religious exemptions from Obamacare's contraceptive mandate and opposed its taxpayer funding of abortions. On abortion, Stivers maintained a pro-life position, earning a 100% rating from the National Right to Life Committee. He voted to prohibit federal health coverage and taxpayer funding for abortions, including via Obamacare exchanges, and to defund family planning programs that included abortion services. In 2015, he supported the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act banning abortions after 20 weeks except to save the mother's life, and in 2019 sponsored legislation protecting infants born alive after failed abortions. Regarding gun rights, Stivers defended Second Amendment protections, receiving an A rating from the . He opposed federal restrictions on bearing arms, voted against universal background checks for all sales and private transfers, and advocated loosening interstate purchase rules while allowing veterans to register certain guns acquired abroad. In state senate debates, he resisted local gun regulations, prioritizing statewide preemption laws. Stivers supported work requirements for welfare recipients to promote , voting to maintain them in 2013. On civil rights, he backed reauthorizing the in 2013 and measures for disabled access, but drew criticism for equating religious objections to providing services for same-sex weddings with 1960s in a 2016 statement. He did not publicly challenge the 2015 ruling legalizing .

Leadership in the National Republican Congressional Committee

Stivers was elected chairman of the (NRCC) on November 15, 2016, following the Republican retention of the majority in the 2016 elections; he defeated Representative of in an internal party conference vote and succeeded outgoing chairman of . In this role, Stivers oversaw the committee's efforts to maintain Republican control of the through candidate recruitment, advertising, and resource allocation in competitive districts. The NRCC under Stivers prioritized aggressive to build a robust for the midterms, achieving multiple monthly records in the off-year cycle. The committee raised $10.5 million in February , marking a new benchmark for that period, followed by $15.5 million in March —bolstered by joint events with President —and over $10 million again in April , the fourth consecutive month exceeding that threshold. By , cumulative reached $72.6 million, exceeding the full off-year total from the prior cycle. Stivers also assembled a team of lawmakers, including vice chairs focused on , communications, and candidate services, to coordinate these efforts. Stivers' strategy emphasized defending vulnerable incumbents and targeting Democratic-held seats, particularly in districts where the party sought to counter anticipated Democratic gains driven by opposition to Trump. However, despite the fundraising success, the NRCC faced headwinds from internal party divisions and broader anti-incumbent sentiment; Republicans ultimately lost the in 2018, with Democrats flipping 41 seats and securing a 235-199 majority. On 7, 2018, Stivers announced he would not seek a second term as chairman for the 2020 cycle, citing a desire to focus on his congressional duties.

Post-Congress career

Resignation from Congress

On April 19, 2021, Steve Stivers announced his intention to resign from the , effective May 16, 2021, to assume the role of president and CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. In his statement, Stivers emphasized his congressional focus on and job creation, stating that the new position would allow him to advance those priorities in 's business community. The resignation occurred amid a narrow Republican minority in the , reducing their voting strength by one seat during debates over President Joe Biden's proposed and spending initiatives. Stivers, who had served six terms representing since 2011, had previously chaired the from 2017 to 2019 but opted not to seek re-election or pursue a U.S. bid against incumbent . A special election was held on August 3, 2021, to fill the vacancy, with Republican Mike Carey winning the primary and to succeed Stivers. The move marked Stivers' transition from public service to private-sector leadership, where he has since advocated for pro-business policies in .

Presidency of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce

Stivers was appointed president and chief executive officer of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, effective May 17, 2021, succeeding Andrew Doehrel after resigning from the . In this role, he leads the state's largest business advocacy organization, representing over 8,000 members in promoting pro-business policies, , and free enterprise principles. A of Stivers' presidency has been the release of The Blueprint for Ohio's Economic Future in 2022, a comprehensive policy framework developed by the Ohio Chamber Research Foundation to address long-term economic challenges through targeted recommendations on workforce development, alignment, , and regulatory reform. The initiative emphasizes pillars such as enhancing skilled labor pipelines and fostering to sustain Ohio's competitiveness and attract investment. Under Stivers' leadership, the Chamber has advanced specific advocacy efforts, including expansion, which has connected thousands of unserved locations since 2021 but faces ongoing hurdles in rural deployment and funding sustainability. Additional priorities include promoting as a data center hub via foundational studies to leverage energy resources and infrastructure for growth, and aligning higher education with employer needs to improve college graduate retention rates, which lag national averages. The organization has also launched the Ohio Institute for Political Leadership in March 2025, a nonpartisan program training pro-business candidates with policy expertise and campaign skills to influence state governance. Complementary programs include the CEO Forum, a peer network for middle-market executives, and cost-saving health benefit plans for member firms. In recognition of these efforts, the National Association of State Chambers named the Ohio Chamber the 2025 State Chamber of the Year on September 12, 2025, citing its effective advocacy, member engagement, and contributions to Ohio's economic rebound, including manufacturing expansions that positioned the state third nationally in new plant announcements by mid-2025. Stivers attributed the award to the team's dedication in creating a business-friendly environment amid shifts.

Electoral history

Stivers ran unsuccessfully in the 2008 general election for , losing to incumbent Democrat Mary Jo Kilroy. Stivers first won to the U.S. in on November 2, 2010, defeating one-term Democratic incumbent Mary Jo Kilroy.
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanSteve Stivers119,47154.16
DemocraticMary Jo Kilroy91,07741.29
LibertarianWilliam Kammerer6,1162.77
David Ryon3,8871.76
Write-inBill Buckel450.02
Total220,596100.00
He was reelected in subsequent cycles with increasing margins until his final term.
YearElectionPartyCandidateVotes%Opponent(s)Votes%
2012GeneralRepublicanSteve Stivers182,42458.5Pat Lang (D)117,33137.6
2014GeneralRepublicanSteve Stivers61.4 (D)38.6
2016GeneralRepublicanSteve Stivers66.5 (D)33.5
2018GeneralRepublicanSteve Stivers192,70657.9Rick Neal Core (D)140,30542.1
2020GeneralRepublicanSteve Stivers243,10363.4Joel Newby (D)140,18336.6
Sources for 2012-2020 results derived from tabulations reported by and Gannett publications.

References

  1. https://history.house.gov/People/Detail/22627
  2. https://www.congress.gov/member/steve-stivers/S001187
  3. https://library.osu.edu/collections/spec.oca.57.l/summary-information
  4. https://www.ohiochamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024-Steve-Stivers-Bio.pdf
  5. https://regulatingai.org/advisory-board/steve-stivers/
  6. https://www.dla.mil/About-DLA/News/News-Article-View/Article/3687329/retired-army-maj-gen-steve-stivers/
  7. https://www.chillicothegazette.com/story/news/2015/11/10/stivers-reflects-military-experience/74764058/
  8. https://bipartisanpolicy.org/person/steve-stivers/
  9. https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/151790/Steven_Ernst_Stivers.html
  10. https://stevestivers.com/about-steve/
  11. https://www.cahallfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/alan-stivers
  12. https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/45333/steve-stivers
  13. https://www.nationalguard.mil/portals/31/Features/ngbgomo/bio/3/3265.html
  14. https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/S001187
  15. https://www.dvidshub.net/news/385347/newly-promoted-ohio-national-guard-major-general-among-highest-ranking-currently-serving-congress
  16. https://www.ong.ohio.gov/media/press-releases/2020/log34-12212020.pdf
  17. https://www.newsdemocrat.com/2020/12/21/stivers-promoted-to-two-star-general/
  18. https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2017/02/10/ohio-congressman-becomes-brigadier-general-in-national-guard/
  19. https://www.cleveland.com/open/2021/04/rep-steve-stivers-resigning-to-take-ohio-chamber-of-commerces-top-job.html
  20. https://rollcall.com/2021/04/19/ohio-rep-steve-stivers-to-leave-congress-next-month/
  21. https://www.gongwer-oh.com/directories/bio.cfm?nameid=5002
  22. https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/election-results-and-data/2004-elections-results/ohio-senate-november-2-2004/
  23. https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/steve-stivers/state-data?cid=N00029574&cycle=2004
  24. https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/ohio-15-house-2010/
  25. https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2010/11/03/portman-stivers-lead-gop-charge/24237096007/
  26. https://www.thisweeknews.com/story/news/local/german-village/2012/11/13/incumbent-stivers-defeats-lang/22685970007/
  27. https://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/story/news/politics/elections/2014/11/04/ohio-stivers-wharton-congress-election/18485431/
  28. https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2016/results/ohio-house-district-15-stivers-wharton
  29. https://ballotpedia.org/Steve_Stivers
  30. https://www.opensecrets.org/races/candidates?cycle=2010&id=OH15
  31. https://financialservices.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=227759
  32. https://financialservices.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=252949
  33. https://financialservices.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=407962
  34. http://rules.house.gov/media/press-releases/chairman-sessions-welcomes-new-members-rules-committee
  35. https://rules.house.gov/news?type%255B0%255D=story&page=95
  36. https://www.congress.gov/committee-report/114th-congress/house-report/905/1
  37. http://beatty.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-beatty-and-stivers-announce-launch-of-the-congressional-civility-and-respect-caucus
  38. https://preventblindness.org/steve-stivers-to-depart-congress/
  39. https://www.facebook.com/preventblindness/photos/prevent-blindness-thanks-congressional-vision-caucus-co-chairs-rep-steve-stivers/10156132051292032/
  40. https://financialservices.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398846
  41. https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/steve-stivers/bills?bill_no=hr3693-112&cid=N00029574&cong=112&cycle=2020&type=I
  42. https://www.wosu.org/news/2017-11-17/in-tax-vote-central-ohio-congress-members-fell-to-party-lines
  43. https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2017699
  44. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-115hhrg31630/html/CHRG-115hhrg31630.htm
  45. https://judiciary.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-judiciary-committee-to-discuss-the-need-for-a-balanced-budget-amendment
  46. https://www.politico.com/story/2011/07/balanced-budget-gets-leadership-ok-058800
  47. https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/114-2015/h532
  48. https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2020253
  49. https://www.fp4america.org/scorecard/steve-stivers/116
  50. https://www.ontheissues.org/OH/Steve_Stivers.htm
  51. https://www.chillicothegazette.com/story/opinion/columnists/2015/09/04/stivers-nuclear-deal-iran-puts-future-risk/71654018/
  52. https://twitter.com/repstevestivers/status/753651988466896898
  53. https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/2013/12/11/rep-stivers-wants-more-sanctions/23406878007/
  54. https://www.ontheissues.org/OH/Steve_Stivers_Foreign_Policy.htm
  55. https://www.peaceaction.org/legislator/steve-stivers/
  56. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZNiFdjPr9M
  57. https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/elections/local/2018/11/03/obamacare-votes-causing-pain-for/9288623007/
  58. https://www.lohud.com/story/news/politics/2017/05/05/stivers-backs-ahca-but-says-not-perfect-bill/101331038/
  59. https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/politics/ahca-house-vote/
  60. https://sbaprolife.org/representative/steve-stivers
  61. https://www.wlwt.com/article/steve-stivers-on-the-issues/3547989
  62. https://www.ontheissues.org/OH/Steve_Stivers_Gun_Control.htm
  63. https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2021/04/06/how-a-powerful-state-law-blocks-ohio-cities-from-gun-regulation/
  64. https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/2015/05/03/ohio-lawmakers-offer-views-on/23396451007/
  65. https://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/stivers-elected-to-chair-nrcc-231431
  66. https://rollcall.com/2016/11/15/house-gop-elects-reps-stivers-collins-smith-to-leadership-team/
  67. https://www.nrcc.org/2017/03/08/nrcc-raises-10-5-million-february-breaks-another-fundraising-record/
  68. https://www.bradenton.com/news/politics-government/article142964879.html
  69. https://rollcall.com/2017/05/17/nrcc-raises-10-million-for-fourth-straight-month/
  70. https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article178417736.html
  71. https://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/republican-congressional-steve-stivers-233515
  72. https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/19/rep-steve-stivers-works-to-stop-blue-wave-but-trump-makes-it-harder.html
  73. https://rollcall.com/2018/11/07/stivers-not-running-again-for-nrcc-chairman/
  74. https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/19/politics/steve-stivers-resigns-ohio-republican-congressman
  75. https://www.politico.com/news/2021/04/19/ohio-republican-resign-congress-senate-483059
  76. https://apnews.com/article/politics-ohio-rob-portman-steve-stivers-f4ff347ca741264f3bc4bfc522f88abc
  77. https://news.ballotpedia.org/2021/04/19/rep-steve-stivers-will-resign-from-the-house-of-representatives-on-may-16/
  78. https://chillicotheohio.com/ohio-chamber-of-commerce-names-steve-stivers-new-president-and-ceo/
  79. https://www.ohiochamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/FINAL_Executive-Summary_Blueprint-for-Ohios-Economic-Future-2.pdf
  80. https://www.ideastream.org/show/city-club-forum/2023-02-24/the-blueprint-for-ohios-economic-future-a-conversation-with-ohio-chamber-of-commerce-ceo-steve-stivers
  81. https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2023/03/09/ohio-chamber-of-commerce-ceo-steve-stivers.html
  82. https://www.ohiochamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/FOR-IMMEDIATE-RELEASE-10.23.39-AM.pdf
  83. https://www.ohiotechnews.com/stories/ohio-chamber-foundation-data-center-study
  84. https://www.dispatch.com/story/opinion/columns/guest/2025/09/25/college-grads-retention-ohio-higher-ed-workforce-alignment/86324953007/
  85. https://www.ohiochamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/FOR-IMMEDIATE-RELEASE-3.pdf
  86. https://medina-gazette.com/news/435056/ohio-chamber-of-commerce-starts-non-partisan-initiative-for-pro-business-individuals-who-want-to-run-for-office/
  87. https://www.crescent-news.com/news/ohio-chamber-named-2025-state-chamber-of-the-year/article_afded7ef-2d2e-4da5-9d5a-740e95dc4805.html
  88. https://www.statechambers.org/scoty-award
  89. https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/election-results-and-data/2008-elections-results/representative-to-congress-november-4-2008/
  90. https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/election-results-and-data/2010-elections-results/representative-to-congress-november-2-2010/
  91. https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/ohio-house-district-15
  92. https://www.caller.com/elections/results/race/2020-11-03-house-OH-36043/
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