Ohio Republicans Secure a Bigger Midterm Advantage in a Redistricting Deal

Ohio’s Redistricting Commission unanimously passed a map on Friday that gives Republicans a better shot at two House seats in the 2026 midterms.

Democrats say the deal is the best-case scenario.

“Ohio’s Democratic Legislative Leadership has fended off the most extreme scenario in the Buckeye State,” Eric Holder, who chairs the National Democratic Redistricting Committee said in a statement after the vote. “Though there is substantial work to do, this imperfect map allows sitting Democrats to continue to compete in all their existing congressional districts.”

The new map makes Reps. Marcy Kaptur and Greg Landsman’s districts more competitive, though Democrats say they are still optimistic about their ability to keep their seats.

Kaptur said she remains “committed” to running for reelection in the redrawn district.

“Let the Columbus politicians make their self-serving maps and play musical chairs, I will fight on for the people and ask the voters for their support next year,” she posted on X.

Republicans are making clear that these two seats are clear targets for them next year.

“House Republicans have the money, message, and momentum to win in 2026 in Ohio and across the country,” said Zach Bannon, a spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Ohio currently has 10 Republican House lawmakers, and five Democrats. Ohio Republicans were looking to pass a map with a 13-2 split if the commission did not reach a decision by the Friday deadline, one Democratic official in the state told NOTUS.

“This is the best possible outcome to avoid disaster,” the official said, adding that Democrats have been successful in the newly formed districts.

The approved map is a major compromise in a national environment where state legislatures are going for broke in the redistricting wars. It also sets up what will almost certainly be some of the most contentious races of the 2026 cycle.

“Now we will have three of the most competitive races in the country,” Dani Isaacson, the minority leader in the Ohio House of Representatives and member of the redistricting commission, said in a video posted on X.

Ohio’s redistricting commission, composed of five Republicans and two Democrats, was given the task after the Ohio state Legislature failed to approve a map with a 60% majority by October.

The commission was required to receive both votes from the minority party to pass a map by Friday.

If the group missed its deadline, the redistricting effort would go back to the state Legislature, where Republicans would be permitted to pass a more partisan map with a simple majority. The new map will be in effect until 2031.

Nationally, Democrats praised the commission for preventing a more partisan map.

“While this is not a fair map for Ohio voters, I commend Ohio Legislative Democratic Leadership for negotiating to prevent an even more egregious gerrymander. With this map, we will defend and win with our battle-tested Democrats Marcy Kaptur, Emilia Sykes, and Greg Landsman, while expanding offensively to hold Republicans Mike Turner, Max Miller, and Mike Carey accountable,” Rep. Suzan DelBene, who chairs House Democrats’ campaign arm, said in a statement.