Ashley Bryant Bailey was sworn in as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives for District 26 on Oct. 1 after the House adopted House Resolution 244 to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Cedric Denson.

The resolution was adopted by Democratic members only, with the clerk recording 32 affirmative votes and no negative votes. After certification of the vote, the Speaker administered the oath and Bailey addressed the chamber.

Leader Isaacson urged members to welcome Bailey and described her background in public service and nonprofit work before her return to Cincinnati. Representative Ashley Bryant Bailey thanked her colleagues, family and supporters in the gallery and said she would “work every day to earn that trust by doing the work the residents of District 26 need and deserve.”

Bailey recited the oath of office in the chamber, swearing to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Ohio and to “faithfully discharge all duties incumbent upon me as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives.”

In her remarks, Representative Bailey referenced her career in social-impact strategy, including roles in the private sector and nonprofit leadership, and said she would work across the aisle "to put people before politics" and focus on policies for working families. She thanked her husband, daughters, parents and sisters for their support and noted her intention to center her legislative work on community needs.

House Resolution 244, read earlier on the floor, formally authorized the appointment and the clerk spread the resolution upon the journal. After the vote and the oath, the House recessed to continue its legislative business.

The appointment and oath conclude the formal process by which the House filled the District 26 vacancy; procedural questions about the appointment were not raised on the floor during this session.