News
November 10, 2025
Dems in Columbus ‘abandoned’ Toledo with new congressional map, local party leader says
COLUMBUS — Democrats on the Ohio Redistricting Commission did a “disservice” to northwest Ohio and the nation by voting with Republicans to approve a congressional map that makes the 9th Congressional District lean further right, Lucas County Democratic Party Chairman Schuyler Beckwith says.
Toledo's Democratic Party Leader Accuses State Dems of Betrayal Over New Congressional Map
COLUMBUS – A political firestorm has erupted in northwest Ohio following the approval of a new congressional district map by the Ohio Redistricting Commission. Schuyler Beckwith, Chairman of the Lucas County Democratic Party, has accused his own party members on the commission of effectively abandoning Toledo by siding with Republicans on a map that significantly alters the political landscape of the 9th Congressional District.
Beckwith argues that the newly approved map, intended to comply with court orders to redraw district lines, actually weakens the Democratic stronghold in the 9th District, pushing it further to the right. This outcome, he contends, is a "disservice" not only to the residents of northwest Ohio but also to the broader national political discourse.
The 9th District, historically a Democratic stronghold, has been represented by Marcy Kaptur, the longest-serving woman in the House of Representatives. The previous map already presented challenges for Democrats, but Beckwith believes the new lines make retaining the seat even more difficult. He suggests that the Democratic members of the Redistricting Commission prioritized other considerations, potentially statewide political strategy, over the immediate needs and interests of the Toledo area.
“This map doesn’t just affect us locally,” Beckwith stated. “It has national implications. We need strong voices in Congress who understand the issues facing working families, and this map makes it harder to ensure that voice continues to represent northwest Ohio.”
The controversy highlights the ongoing struggle over fair representation in Ohio, a state grappling with accusations of gerrymandering. While the Redistricting Commission aimed to create more competitive and representative districts, critics like Beckwith argue that the final product falls short, ultimately favoring one party over the other.
The approved map is expected to face legal challenges, with opponents arguing that it still unfairly advantages Republicans and violates the Ohio Constitution. The debate underscores the complex and often contentious process of redistricting, where political power and community representation hang in the balance. The future of the 9th Congressional District, and the representation of northwest Ohio in Washington, remains uncertain.
COLUMBUS – A political firestorm has erupted in northwest Ohio following the approval of a new congressional district map by the Ohio Redistricting Commission. Schuyler Beckwith, Chairman of the Lucas County Democratic Party, has accused his own party members on the commission of effectively abandoning Toledo by siding with Republicans on a map that significantly alters the political landscape of the 9th Congressional District.
Beckwith argues that the newly approved map, intended to comply with court orders to redraw district lines, actually weakens the Democratic stronghold in the 9th District, pushing it further to the right. This outcome, he contends, is a "disservice" not only to the residents of northwest Ohio but also to the broader national political discourse.
The 9th District, historically a Democratic stronghold, has been represented by Marcy Kaptur, the longest-serving woman in the House of Representatives. The previous map already presented challenges for Democrats, but Beckwith believes the new lines make retaining the seat even more difficult. He suggests that the Democratic members of the Redistricting Commission prioritized other considerations, potentially statewide political strategy, over the immediate needs and interests of the Toledo area.
“This map doesn’t just affect us locally,” Beckwith stated. “It has national implications. We need strong voices in Congress who understand the issues facing working families, and this map makes it harder to ensure that voice continues to represent northwest Ohio.”
The controversy highlights the ongoing struggle over fair representation in Ohio, a state grappling with accusations of gerrymandering. While the Redistricting Commission aimed to create more competitive and representative districts, critics like Beckwith argue that the final product falls short, ultimately favoring one party over the other.
The approved map is expected to face legal challenges, with opponents arguing that it still unfairly advantages Republicans and violates the Ohio Constitution. The debate underscores the complex and often contentious process of redistricting, where political power and community representation hang in the balance. The future of the 9th Congressional District, and the representation of northwest Ohio in Washington, remains uncertain.
Category:
Politics