Rep. Robinson questions role of Ohio Education Board member in Washington rally that led to violent attack on U.S. Capitol

COLUMBUS— State Rep. Phil Robinson (D-Solon) is calling on Ohio Board of Education Member Kirsten Hill to provide details on her involvement in organizing a bus trip to the “Stop the Steal” event Jan. 6 in Washington D.C., which led to the violent, deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol later that afternoon.

“I am deeply troubled to learn about the role State Education Board Member Hill may have played in organizing attendance at the president’s “Stop the Steal” rally. Board Member Hill needs to immediately detail her involvement in the rally and the tragic events that followed,” said Rep. Robinson.

State Edu. Bd. Member Hill, who represents District 2 on the State Board of Education, is chairwoman of the Lorain County TEA Party, which arranged a bus trip from Elyria, Ohio to Washington D.C. on Jan. 6 to attend the rally hosted by President Trump. The event posting claimed “Folks from around the world are fighting for Trump to the bitter end,” and directed visitors to a website promoting misinformation on the pending certification of the Electoral College votes. 

“I strongly condemn Board Member Hill’s actions and ask her to apologize for her role in perpetuating election misinformation. By organizing this event, she is openly endorsing and promoting false information and baseless-conspiracies and must be held accountable,” added Rep. Robinson. “She is an elected official who represents the interests and concerns Ohio’s 1.7 million school-age children and the districts they live in. She must live up to and be held to a higher standard.” 

Hill was listed as the coordinator for the Elyria-based contingent on other websites urging Ohioans to go to D.C. for the event. As has been widely reported, the Jan. 6 rally ended with a group of pro-Trump supporters and militants storming the U.S. Capitol, resulting in a Capitol Police officer being beaten to death and the death of four rioters.