A Cincinnati state representative with the worst attendance record for the last two years missed the opening day for the new two-year session that just started.
Bond Hill Democrat Sedrick Denson said he had a paperwork snafu that was complicated by the Monday snowstorm. By the time he realized he needed his Certificate of Election to be sworn into office at the Ohio House, the Hamilton County Board of Elections was closed due to the storm.
It’s not a good start to the year for Denson, who missed 31% of the lawmaker voting session days in 2023-2024, according to attendance records kept by the House clerk.
Denson said he missed seven of 27 regular sessions, including two for a conference held by the National Black Conference of State Legislators.
“I do take my job serious. I am very present in my district, attending to all my constituents’ needs and take my oath very seriously.”
Denson, first elected in 2018 and three times after that, also skipped the last voting day of the “lame duck” session in December for a previously scheduled trip with family. Lawmakers voted on a long list of bills and policy questions that day.
Legislators are given the session schedule months in advance and advised to make themselves available. Legislators are currently paid $71,100 a year, plus benefits and those who serve in leadership posts are paid more.
The House clerk provided records in response to a public records request that showed Denson missed eight of 28 regular voting sessions and a special legislative session when lawmakers voted to put President Joe Biden on the general election ballot in Ohio.
Denson’s attendance record matched that of Republican Mike Loychik, who isn’t in the Ohio General Assembly this term.
Of the 106 people who served in the Ohio House in the last two-year session, 45 had perfect attendance and another 32 missed just one session.
Denson was reelected in 2024 with 69% of the vote.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Democrat Sedrick Denson missed voting sessions