Ohio Republican to lead new ‘Main Street Caucus’ in Congress

The self–described “governing” wing of the Republican party is getting a formal presence on Capitol Hill — and they’ve put Columbus-area Congressman Pat Tiberi in charge.

Tiberi, R–Genoa Township, announced Thursday that he and a handful of House Republicans have formed the “Main Street Caucus,” — dedicated to “strong, conservative principles related to economic and national security policy and who believe in governing in a pragmatic manner.”

Tiberi will be the chairman of the new caucus, while Reps. Rodney Davis, R–Ill., Jeff Denham, R–Cal., Fred Upton, R–Mich., and Mimi Walters, R–Calif., will serve a co-chairs.

Members said they are organizing the group in order to get things done.

The caucus is an outgrowth of the Republican Main Street Partnership, a group of centrist Republicans once headed by former Rep. Steve LaTourette, who died in 2016. More than 70 members are expected to join the group, which is being billed as a complement to the centrist “Tuesday Group” of Republicans. It is expected to become one of the largest caucuses on the Hill.

The Republican Main Street Partnership — which includes members but is considered outside the confines of Capitol Hill — includes Tiberi, Reps. Steve Stivers, R–Upper Arlington, Mike Turner, R–Dayton, Bill Johnson, R–Marietta, Jim Renacci, R–Wadsworth and David Joyce, R–Russell Township.

Unspoken is the idea that this is an alternative to the Freedom Caucus, the group of ultra-conservatives that includes Reps. Jim Jordan, R–Urbana and Warren Davidson, R–Troy.

“We are focused on getting things done and delivering real results to the American people,” Tiberi, saying he wants “to build a stronger governing consensus among our members so that we can advance needed solutions people can count on.”

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