Revised map bumps Sen. Schaffer - Other Community News - Ohioans for Responsible Rural Development

Lancaster Eagle-Gazette
Published October 1, 2011

By Carl Burnett Jr.

District swap, altered borders move jurisdiction to other counties; Zanesville's Balderson to represent Fairfield County, District 20

LANCASTER -- State Sen. Tim Schaffer no longer will represent his home county after his fellow Republicans swapped districts and moved borders of Ohio's new legislative districts Friday.

The Lancaster Republican's 31st Senate District now encompasses Perry, Licking and three other counties, while all of Fairfield County has been moved into the 20th Senate District Sen. Troy Balderson, R-Zanesville, represents.

The changes, effective Jan. 1, 2013, were approved by the Ohio Apportionment Board on Friday just one week after much different districts were proposed for the region.

The original map concerned several GOP lawmakers who sought the changes, said State Rep. Jay Hottinger, R-Newark.

John McClelland, spokesman for the Ohio Republican Party caucus, said the changes allow the new districts to more closely resemble the old ones. He denied that incumbent protection had anything to do with the changes.

The Ohio Constitution allows Schaffer to live outside the district because he already was elected, said Ohio Attorney General spokeswoman Lisa Peterson Hackley.

Schaffer said he agreed to "take one for the team" and plans to run for the Ohio House district representing Fairfield County in 2014, when his second Senate term expires because of term limits.

"It's not ideal, but it won't take effect until the last year of my term. I will remain the same vigorous senator I've always been."

"I was elected to represent the 31st Ohio Senate District through 2014, and I eagerly look forward to continue serving the people of the district with honesty and integrity," Schaffer said.

Read the full story on the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette website.