State Representative Jim Buchy...
Partisan Politics Aside for a Single Primary and Savings for the Tax Payer 
December 17, 2011 

This past week, I voted in favor of Sub House Bill 369, which created one primary and settled the dispute over new congressional maps.  Every 10 years Ohio lawmakers gather to draw new congressional district lines, a process undertaken by leadership in the General Assembly.  I have been a part of this process twice before.  Never have I witnessed the minority party create as much havoc and confusion at the drawing table as they did during this year.  However, Wednesday night we finally gained enough support from the minority party to settle on a bill and hold only one primary.  I commend my colleagues who had the courage to stand against their party and support the map that has fair lines and increases African American and other minority representation. 

The reason for two primaries and all this confusion goes back to a deal that was made this fall between the minority and majority to push the primary back to May.  At the last minute, minority leadership pulled out of that deal, which led to the eventual chaos. 

I fundamentally oppose holding two separate primaries.  Two primaries would result in reduced voter turnout and an expense to tax payers of $15 million.  The other side backed us against a wall with a choice of two primaries or disenfranchising our military voters.  In that situation, it was a difficult, but necessary decision to vote in favor of two primaries.  On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to support one primary election.  Many good statesmen from both sides of the aisle put aside their differences and did the right thing for Ohioans.

This agreement provides a map with more compact congressional districts and one primary on March 6th.  The primary held on March 6th will align Ohio with Super Tuesday, a day when presidential primaries are held across the country.  To cut down on confusion and costs, anyone who filed for the March 6th primary by the December 7th deadline will be on the March 6th primary ballot.  In addition, the US Senate race, Presidential race, and the Congressional races will have another deadline 11 days from the signing of the new redistricting bill. 

The map provides a slight change to our local congressional districts.  Preble County and Darke County will still be part of District 8, a seat currently held by Speaker Boehner.  This district will include Butler, Clark, Darke, Miami, and Preble counties.  Mercer County will be split into three congressional districts that converge at Grand Lake St. Marys.  District 5, currently represented by Congressman Latta, will cover most portions of northwest Ohio and will include over 50 percent of the land territory in Mercer County including Celina.  District 4, currently represented by Congressman Jordan will extend from Lorain and Sandusky counties to Champaign and Shelby counties.  The district includes Allen and Union counties.  It includes Franklin Township and Grand Lake St. Marys in Mercer County.  District 8 currently held by Congressman Boehner will include the southern portion of Mercer County including Coldwater. 

The new map is favorable to our region.  Although a single congressional district in Mercer County would be less confusing, the new three-congressmen approach will benefit the overall well being of Grand Lake St. Marys.  It will provide access to increased federal resources and it will strengthen agriculture.  The biggest advantage of the new map is that it avoids two primaries and saves the taxpayers money.  As your state representative, I will continue to look for ways to avoid government waste and keep your taxes low. 

Download the new district map here