Republican Ohio House speaker blasts Democrats' proposed congressional map as 'gerrymandering'

By Jo Ingles
The Statehouse News Bureau

The leader of Republicans in the Ohio House of Representatives says he was caught off guard by a new congressional district map proposed by House and Senate Democrats.

House Speaker Matt Huffman (R-Lima) told reporters on Wednesday he hasn't seen details of the map. And he said he first learned of it at a press conference held by Democrats on Tuesday. Huffman's disgust was palpable as he talked about the map.

“Much of the reforms that the voters passed in 2018 was to provide more input from the public. They didn’t want the map drawn behind closed doors," Huffman said. "I would also say starting the process with saying 'this is an 8-7 map' – that's gerrymandering."

Huffman said Republicans and Democrats should have sat down to try to come up with a map together.

"The first thing that happens in this process is Democrats unveil their own version of gerrymandering," Huffman said.

Rep. Phil Robinson (D-Solon) said guidance for the map came from ordinary Ohioans who have been weighing in on the redistricting process through a website set up to gather maps put forward by ordinary Ohioans.

"The map is not our map. It is the voters' maps. And we believe that the voters should pick elected officials, not the other way around," Robinson said. "And the beautiful part is, we'll have a process now, as though with all public town hall meetings and things of that nature, we'll figure out what's the best map."

For more, go to https://www.statenews.org/. 

Ohio legislative leaders announce appointments to Joint Committee on Congressional Redistricting

https://ohiohouse.gov/

Speaker of the Ohio House Matt Huffman (R-Lima) and Senate President Rob McColley (R-Napoleon) this week announced their respective appointments to the Joint Committee on Congressional Redistricting, pursuant to Article XIX, Section 1(G) of the Ohio Constitution. 

Speaker Huffman is appointing State Representative Adam Bird (R-New Richmond) as co-chair, along with State Representatives Nick Santucci (R-Niles), Brian Stewart (R-Ashville), D.J. Swearingen (R-Huron), House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn (D-Cincinnati), and State Rep. Desiree Tims (D-Dayton) as members of the committee. 

Senate President McColley is appointing State Senator Jane Timken (R-Jackson Township) as co-chair, along with State Senators Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green), Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City), Bill Reineke (R-Tiffin), Senate Minority Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) and Senator Willis E. Blackshear Jr. (D-Dayton) as members of the committee. 

The co-chairs will be sending out additional details on the first meeting, which will be held on Monday, Sept. 22.