Committee on Ohio U.S. congressional redistricting formed, sets meeting for Sept. 22

Ohio Republican leaders have created a joint committee to address redistricting for Ohio’s 15 U.S. House seats, which Republicans currently control 10 of 15. Amid a national gerrymandering frenzy, prominent Republicans have called for the party to take two or three more seats.

The offices of the Ohio House Speaker and Ohio Senate President announced the Joint Committee on Congressional Redistricting, and a first meeting on Sept. 22, though the time and location of the meeting was not released in a press release on Wednesday.

Republican state Rep. Adam Bird, R-New Richmond, and Sen. Jane Timken, R-Jackson Township, were named as co-chairs of the committee.

The other members of the committee are:

• House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn, D-Cincinnati
• Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood
• Rep. Nick Santucci, R-Niles
• Rep. Brian Stewart, R-Ashville
• Rep. D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron
• Rep. Desiree Tims, D-Dayton
• Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green
• Sen. Steve Huffman, R-Tipp City
• Sen. Bill Reineke, R-Tiffin
• Sen. Willis Blackshear, Jr., D-Dayton

Antonio released a statement saying the committee “now has the opportunity to seriously consider” the map legislative Democrats introduced on Tuesday under Senate Bill 259.

The Ohio General Assembly has until Sept. 30 to come up with a congressional district plan that receives 66% support in both chambers.

If the plan doesn’t have enough bipartisan support, the Ohio Redistricting Committee will be given the job of coming up with a plan.

Without bipartisan support in the committee, the legislature will have until Nov. 30 to adopt a plan with a simple majority.