Rep. Stewart Co-Chairs First Ohio Redistricting Commission Meeting

COLUMBUS – State Representative Brian Stewart (R-Ashville) today co-chaired the first Ohio Redistricting Commission meeting. 

The meeting, convened by Governor Mike DeWine pursuant to a Constitutional requirement, marks the beginning of the second phase of Ohio’s congressional redistricting process. In addition to Stewart, Co-Chair and Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, Secretary of State Frank LaRose, State Auditor Keith Faber, Senator Jane Timken, and House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn make up the committee. Stewart is the sole appointee for the House Majority Caucus.

“I want to thank Speaker Huffman, and my House colleagues, for the opportunity to serve on this Commission,” said Rep. Stewart. “Having a role to play in decisions as important as congressional redistricting is part of what makes public service incredibly meaningful to me. It’s a real honor.”

After the ceremonial swearing-in of the Commission members, Co-Chair Stewart opened the meeting and then yielded the floor to Co-Chair Antonio for her remarks. The Commission proceeded to hear testimony on the companion bills, H.B. 442 (Minority Leader Isaacsohn) and S.B. 259 (Minority Leader Antonio), previously presented to the Joint Committee in September.

“I believe that the adoption of a plan by this Commission is certainly possible, and this process will determine whether or not it becomes probable,” said Rep. Stewart at the beginning of the meeting. “Either way, I want the public, our colleagues in state government, and our colleagues in Congress, to know that we enter this process with open minds, and a willingness to try to find common ground.”

Details for the next meeting have not yet been announced.