SANDUSKY — Erie County Treasurer Caleb Stidham announced Friday that he’s out as treasurer starting Monday, paving the way for his early appointment to the Ohio House of Representatives.
Stidham, a Republican, confirmed he will seek appointment on Tuesday, November 10, to fill the vacant 89th House District seat representing portions of Erie, Huron, and Ottawa counties.
“I am incredibly grateful to the residents of Erie County for the privilege of serving as their county treasurer these past five years,” Stidham said in a statement. “I have been blessed to work with outstanding colleagues, a great team in the treasurer’s office, and so many outstanding people throughout our community.”
Stidham’s resignation comes less than a week after he won election to the House District 89 seat in the November 3 general election, defeating Democratic challenger Easton Retzke.
Stidham entered the race in August after the Republican party selected him to replace incumbent State Rep. D.J. Swearingen on the fall ballot. Swearingen quit and withdrew from the race to accept a job offer from the Trump administration to serve on an anti-fraud team.
While newly elected state representatives typically take office at the start of the legislative session in January, legislative caucuses often appoint member-elects to unexpired terms when a seat becomes vacant ahead of the new term.
“I am excited to get started as state representative next week,” Stidham said. “I will tirelessly work on behalf of the people of Erie, Huron and Ottawa Counties.”
First elected Erie County Treasurer in 2020, Stidham managed county investments, tax collection, and treasury operations for five years. The Erie County Republican Central Committee is expected to convene in the coming weeks to appoint an interim treasurer to serve out the remainder of Stidham’s county term.