Dems introduce ‘fair’ redistricting map, Republicans say ‘no’

Ohio Democrats have made a splash this week with their latest salvo in the Congressional district map battle in the Buckeye State.

This new map is being described in summation by Democrats with one word: “fair.” They argue the proposal is in line with current voter sentiment.

On Sept. 9, House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn, D-Cincinnati, and Senate Minority Leader Nicky Antonio, D-Lakewood, revealed the new map, which would create eight Republican-leaning and seven Democrat-leaning districts. Democrats are arguing that this proposal reflects voting trends in Ohio.

“We’re Midwest nice till you start to mess with our maps,” Isaacsohn said in a statement. “House Democrats will continue to fight like hell for a fair, bipartisan map as well as the right for the public to make their voice heard to demand the equal representation they deserve.”

Without any surprise, Ohio Republicans immediately slammed the proposal as being politically motivated. They assured that it would not gain any traction with them in the future.

Republicans’ firm “no” out of the gate calls into question whether this is a serious attempt at reform or simply a maneuver to generate talking points ahead of upcoming deadlines.

Currently, Ohio leans slightly more Republican than Democratic, with approximately 55% of the state generally aligning with the Republican Party and 45% generally aligning with the Democratic Party. Their new map would keep 74 of the 88 counties together, splitting the remaining counties up no more than once.

“This is a national effort led by President Trump to steal congressional districts from the people of this country,” Isaacsohn told ABC6.

“We should have a map that provides the possibility for voters to have a real voice,” Antonio told Statehouse News Bureau.

Republicans lambasted the proposal instantly, leaving no doubt that it is a non-starter with them. Senate GOP spokesperson John Fortney contends the current map is legal and indicated to the Steakhouse News Bureau that there will be no negotiating over it.

“We’re off to a bad start when the other side calls a press conference and says ‘It has to be this or nothing else,’” House Speaker Matt Huffman, R-Lima, told News 5 Cleveland.

“The first thing that happens in this process is Democrats unveil their own version of gerrymandering,” Huffman added to Statehouse News Bureau.

Independent observers agree that the new proposal would make several districts much more competitive.

Signal Ohio reviewed the map and concluded it could shift Ohio’s delegation from 10 Republicans and 5 Democrats closer to eight Republicans and seven Democrats by creating new districts, which more easily favor the Democrats in both Columbus and Cleveland.

Other observers have expressed further skepticism due to recent decisions the voters of Ohio have made regarding district maps. In 2024, Ohioans rejected “Issue 1,” which would have amended the state constitution and created a so-called “independent” redistricting commission.

While some blame the loss on confusing ballot language, most believe the big takeaway from that effort is that Ohio voters are not excited to upend the entire system.

The calendar is a big factor that will affect the outcome.

The legislature has until Sept. 30 to pass a bipartisan map. If it does not, the job is handed over to the Republican-dominated Ohio Redistricting Commission.

Democrats are well aware that Republicans control both the legislature and the redistricting commission. In reality, their proposal may serve as little more than a symbolic gesture and provide them with continuing talking points.

Nonetheless, Ohio Democrats maintain their map has true merit. Isaacsohn told ABC6 that prior Republican backed legislation was only signed into law because of unfair maps.

“If we had fair maps, like the ones that we have introduced today, that big ugly bill would not have been able to pass,” Isaacsohn told the station.

Joint Committee on Congressional Redistricting Appointments

On Wednesday, Huffman and Senate President Rob McColley, R-Napoleon, announced appointments to the Joint Committee on Congressional Redistricting.