Logan County Democrats expressed two primary goals for the 2020 election cycle on Wednesday in a fall rally — assume a party majority on the Ohio Supreme Court, and unseat Congressman Jim Jordan in Ohio’s fourth congressional district.
Judge Jennifer Brunner, a Democratic candidate for the Ohio Supreme Court in 2020, emphasized during a featured address at the Indian Lake Community Church fellowship hall the importance of a Democrat-controlled state supreme court, especially when it comes time to rule on Congressional redistricting maps following the 2020 elections.
In May, 2018, Ohio voters approved an amendment to the state Constitution that establishes new protocols for Congressional redistricting.
Beginning in 2020, the following provisions apply:
• Following completion of the United States Census, state legislators can adopt a new congressional district map if three-fifths of the legislature’s total membership vote to approve, including one-half of the minority party members. This map would apply for 10 years.
• If the legislature proves unable to adopt a new map, a commission will be formed to adopt a map. That commission will include the governor, state auditor, secretary of state, and four legislators, two of whom must come from the legislature’s minority party. A majority of the commission’s members, including two members belonging to the minority party, must agree on a map. The map would apply for 10 years.
• If the commission proves unable to adopt a map, state legislators will be given a second chance to adopt a map. The map would have to be approved by three-fifths of the legislature’s total membership, including one-third of the minority party’s members. The map would apply for 10 years.
• If the legislature fails a second time, the majority party of the legislature, without support from the minority party, can adopt a map that would apply for four years.
Those new procedures are sure to be met with legal challenges, and the Ohio Supreme Court will have the final say, Brunner pointed out.
“Existing districts are hugely gerrymandered,” she said, adding that the opportunity to weigh in on redistricting and re-apportionment processes were contributing factors to her deciding to run for the state Supreme Court.
Brunner is the former Ohio Secretary of State from 2007-2011, and is the first woman to serve in that office.
In 2014, Brunner ran for the Ohio 10th District Court of Appeals, and was re-elected to that role in 2016 without opposition.
She has assisted foreign governments with rule-of-law, and self-governance matters, including in the Republic of Serbia.
Attendees Wednesday also heard from a trio of Democrats set to face in the March primary for the opportunity to challenge Congressman Jordan for Ohio’s fourth Congressional District seat, which Logan and surrounding counties.
Shannon Freshour, Mike Larsen and Jeffrey Sites each discussed why they’re running and matters important to them. In addition to healthcare and women’s rights, another common theme among the candidates was unseating the incumbent congressman.
Larsen pointed out that Chris Gibbs, a former chairman of the Republican Party in Shelby County has also announced plans to run as an independent candidates.
His participation in the race could potentially split the GOP vote, and pave the way for a Democrat to take the seat, Larsen said.
“We need someone that can stand next to Jordan, and win,” Larsen said.