News out of Youngstown may have come as a disappointment to Belmont County residents who have learned they can depend on having a representative as principled and conservative as our own Bill Johnson working on their behalf in Washington, D.C.

Though he will no doubt do a remarkable job as president of Youngstown State University, he will leave big shoes to fill as U.S. Representative for Ohio’s 6th District. Johnson has served our region well for 7 terms. But he’s not done just yet.

“This is not a goodbye … I will continue serving in the House for several more months, and you will see no let up,” Johnson said. “My offices are open and my staff remains ready to serve you.

“There is still much left on my agenda to do before I depart Congress, including doing all I can to help pass tax exemption legislation to benefit the people of East Palestine as well as a broader rail safety bill, streamline America’s LNG export process, and advance a responsible budget and spending package for the remainder of this fiscal year,” he said.

Johnson says he will resign his post in the first quarter of next year to take over as president of YSU on March 15.

There was never any doubt that Johnson had the best interests of his constituents at heart. Whoever next fills that seat must be a person willing and able to do the same.

As District 6 residents congratulate Johnson and thank him for many years of effort to their benefit, we must now turn to carefully choosing the right person to build upon that effort for us, for Ohio and for the country as a whole.