Census-driven redistricting might change the political makeup of the Sixth Congressional District next year, which has drawn concern from Lawrence County’s representative in Washington, D.

Wednesday, July 18, 2001

Census-driven redistricting might change the political makeup of the Sixth Congressional District next year, which has drawn concern from Lawrence County’s representative in Washington, D.C.

What’s mostly a district of Appalachian counties could turn into a district that stretches from South Point to north of Columbus, said U.S. Rep. Ted Strickland.

"There is speculation they may take Scioto, Washington, and perhaps Meigs, away from the Sixth District and extend it northward," Strickland said.

Not only would driving the length of the district be difficult, but also putting Newark in an Appalachian district would change the character of the district as it’s represented in Congress, he said.

"It’s less likely that the representative of such a district could focus as exclusively on the kind of problems that exist in Appalachian counties, such as infrastructure and road needs," Strickland said. "The problems associated with Newark are very different than those confronted by Ironton."

Also, such a drastic redistricting would take key counties from Strickland, an incumbent Democrat, and give a rumored Republican challenger in Newark a better chance.

"The fact is, they have the power to draw lines, but it would be very unfortunate if they did," Strickland said.

Talk of redistricting surfaced more than six months ago, even before the U.S. Census that drives it was completed.

The Census is used to redraw, congressional and state legislative districts to reflect population shifts.

Even though Ohio’s population grew by 4.7 percent between 1990 and 2000, the state will lose a seat in Congress – from 19 to 18 – because it’s not growing as fast as some other states.

The congressional lines will be redrawn by the GOP-controlled Ohio Legislature, with the approval of Gov. Bob Taft, another Republican. So it’s a given that one Democrat will lose his or her seat in Congress, likely in northeast Ohio near Cleveland.

Strickland is at risk because his district already leans Republican and the GOP has felt it is one that should have been in its column since it was created for the 1992 election by combining two districts held by Republicans.

And, that’s what the congressman has been hearing – not only from Columbus political circles but also from his Republican colleagues in Washington.

"I hope the decision is not made purely on a basis of politics but I’m afraid that may be the case," Strickland said. "It’s bad for the district, regardless of whether or not my political future is affected."

The Associated Press contributed to this story.