The seven-member Ohio Redistricting Commission, by a unanimous vote Friday morning, took a deal on a congressional map that legislative leaders brokered behind closed doors.
Ohio will now ward off a lengthier fight over a long-mandated redraw of the boundaries for its 15 members of Congress.
The map, effective from 2026 until 2031, shifts districts in Cincinnati and Toledo further right and Akron further left, giving Democratic Reps. Greg Landsman (OH-1) and Marcy Kaptur (OH-9) tougher races while easing off Emilia Sykes (OH-13). Other GOP-held seats are one shade redder under the new map, too.
The two Democrats on the commission, Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) and House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn (D-Cincinnati), told reporters Friday they took the deal to avoid a worst-case map in November.
“The choices were a 13-2 map, like we saw in Texas, Missouri and North Carolina, or the map we have in front of us, which not only averted disaster, but made sure that all of our current Democratic members of Congress are able to run and win in 2026,” Isaacsohn said.
After Friday, supermajority Republicans would have been free to pass a plan without any Democrats, but it was likely to be met with a ballot effort. Although the commission map is safe from repeal it could be challenged in court.
Still, between two last-minute commission hearings Thursday and Friday and then again on social media, commission members fielded blowback from activists and other observers on both sides of the aisle.
“At the end of the day, we did come together and did utilize the process, and came up with a map that both sides got some of what they want and both sides had to give up something as well,” Ohio Redistricting Commission Chair Rep. Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) told reporters Friday.
Gov. Mike DeWine, Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Auditor of State Keith Faber, and Sen. Jane Timken. (R-Canton) joined Stewart in voting ‘yes.’
Ohio was always due for the redistrict because of 2018 reforms to law, but the state was one President Donald Trump and national Republicans eyed for more friendly seats in 2026. As to whether this achieved that, DeWine on Thursday called the possibility of a 12-3 breakdown “darn good numbers.”
More details on the districts are available here.
