Local district largely restored

SANDUSKY — Under new maps for legislative districts, Sandusky will continue to be represented by state Rep. D.J. Swearingen, R-Huron, and state Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, if they win re-election. In addition, the latest version of the maps for Ohio Senate and Ohio House districts restores House District 89, Swearingen's district, largely to the way it looked for many years. While last year's election was fought over a District 89 — that included much of Huron County and left out portions of Erie County — the new district includes all of Erie County, almost all of Ottawa County and Lyme and Wakeman townships in Huron County's northeast and northwest corners. That means that the new district is close to the same as the district comprised for about 20 years of Erie and Ottawa counties, represented years ago by Democrats Chris Redfern and Dennis Murray Jr., and, more recently, by Republicans Steve Arndt and Swearingen. A bipartisan commission approved the new districts. Democrats agreed to a compromise that apparently preserves a GOP advantage but offers a chance for Democrats to pick up more seats in an Ohio General Assembly dominated by Republicans. The new districts will last until 2030, assuming they survive any court challenges and a possible state question on redistricting that could come to a vote next year. Meanwhile, the boundaries for U.S. House districts in Congress will remain the same in 2024 as they were last year but are slated to be redrawn in 2025. Swearingen said the new boundaries for his district resemble the old ones he and other lawmakers had for many years and said he's pleased with the district. "I've gotten to know a lot of people in those communities, and we work well together," he said. Caleb Stidham, the chairman of the Erie County Republican Party, said the new Ohio House District 89 is slightly more Democratic than it was in last year's election. Stidham said he expects Swearingen and Gavarone to retain their seats next year. "I'm very confident those two will be re-elected without any issue," Stidham said. Swearingen said he agrees his district hasn't changed its partisan outlook very much. "It's become a pretty Republican area overall," he said. Amy Grubbe, chair of the Erie County Democratic Party, said she is pleased the new District 89 more closely resembles the former one. But she said it was still gerrymandered by adding Republican votes from the two townships in Huron County. The districts for the Ohio General Assembly remain unfair and still amount to Republican lawmakers picking their voters instead of voters being allowed to pick their representatives. Grubbe said she hopes a 2024 state question will put the process in the hands of citizens, taking it away from politicians. Democrats on the redistricting commission had to cut the best deal they could, knowing they'd likely get little help this time from the Ohio Supreme Court, which moved right in last year's election, Grubbe said. Gavarone's Ohio Senate District 2 means she'll continue to represent Sandusky and Port Clinton. Her district includes all of Erie, Ottawa and Wood counties, the western half of Lucas County and small portions of Huron County. Gavarone said she'll be pleased to represent the Sandusky area if she wins another four-year term next year. "Erie and Ottawa Counties are home to hard-working people and amazing communities. If voters give me the opportunity to continue in public service, it will be a privilege to represent these areas as part of the Second Senate district," Gavarone said. Rep. Dick Stein's House District 54 has largely gone back to what it was until recently. It has most of Huron County and much of Lorain County. Stein is a Republican who lives in Norwalk. In his current two-year term, he represents portions of eastern Erie County. "In general, Huron County was made whole, something I have advocated for, with the exception of two townships, Lyme and Wakeman, which will remain in the 89th district. While I enjoyed having part of Erie County, that will no longer be the case for the next representative of the 54th district," Stein said. Elsewhere in the area, state Rep. Gary Click's Ohio House District 88 has remained exactly the same: Sandusky and Seneca counties. The Vickery Republican said he's happy. "Love my people," he said.