Rep. Debbie Phillips, the person who represents the people of Athens when debating public policy in Columbus, just got a promotion.
The Democratic Caucus elected Phillips (D-94) this week to be assistant house minority leader and the second highest-ranking Democrat in the House. That’s a bump up from her old job as assistant minority whip, the fourth highest-ranking job for a House Democrat.
Phillips said she sees this as an opportunity to continue the same ideals she has been pursuing since her tenure began.
"Policy will remain the same: I will fight for the people of Southeast Ohio, strengthen public education, broad-based prosperity rather than the trickle economics we have seen through (Gov. John Kasich),” Phillips said. "I think it's a further opportunity to speak out for those people of our region."
Phillips said the new role will mostly be leading the Democratic Caucus and improving internal communication among the group to get its agenda more focused.
"Internally I need to work to help our members have the information to make informed decisions and communicate what it is we are working on,” she said.
The only promotion left in the House for Phillips — as long as Democrats stay in the minority — is the top spot: house minority leader.
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