Ohio Redistricting Commission
As House minority leader,Russo served as one of two Democratic members of the Ohio Redistricting Commission during the post-2020 map-drawing cycle. During this period,the Supreme Court of Ohio repeatedly invalidated General Assembly maps adopted by the commission as unconstitutional partisan gerrymanders that violated Article XI,Section 6 of the Ohio Constitution,and ordered the commission to adopt new plans in compliance with the state constitution. [17] [18]
In subsequent litigation over the September 2023 plan,the Supreme Court of Ohio noted that Russo proposed an amendment to the unanimously adopted plan,that both Democratic commissioners voted for the amended plan,and that bipartisan support rendered the plan effective through the 2030 election cycle,even as petitioners continued to describe the plan as a partisan gerrymander under Article XI,Section 6(B). [19]
In September 2023,the Ohio Redistricting Commission unanimously approved a sixth version of the post-2020 General Assembly maps,often referred to as "Map 6",with Russo and Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio joining the five Republican members in support. [20] [21]
Analyses of the plan projected Republican advantages of roughly 61–38 in the Ohio House and 23–10 in the Ohio Senate,while also noting an increase in the number of competitive districts compared with some earlier drafts. [22]
On September 26,2023,the Ohio Redistricting Commission unanimously approved new Ohio House and Senate maps,with Russo and Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio joining the Republican members in support. Analyses of the plan projected Republican advantages of roughly 61–38 in the House and 23–10 in the Senate,while also noting an increase in the number of competitive districts compared with earlier drafts. Because the plan was adopted with bipartisan support,the Ohio Supreme Court subsequently dismissed legal challenges to the maps,leaving them in effect for the remainder of the decade despite continued claims that they constituted partisan gerrymanders. [23]
Voting-rights coalitions Equal Districts and Fair Districts,including Common Cause Ohio,criticized the agreement as entrenching partisan gerrymanders despite the bipartisan vote. [24]
Russo’s support for the 2023 maps drew renewed scrutiny during her 2026 campaign for Ohio Secretary of State. Voting-rights advocates and some Democratic activists argued that backing the GOP-favored plan had undercut efforts to pass a citizen-led redistricting amendment scheduled for the 2024 ballot. [25] In a 2024 interview with Signal Ohio,Russo defended her votes as "the best of two bad options",describing the decision as one of the most difficult of her legislative career. [26]
The vote drew criticism from voting-rights organizations and redistricting reform advocates,who argued that the maps continued to favor Republicans after multiple earlier proposals had been ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of Ohio. [27]
In interviews,she defended the decision as “the best of two bad options,”citing months of stalemate on the commission and a need to avoid further delays. [28]
Critics argued the decision contributed to Republican advantages in the subsequent election cycles and reduced opportunities for Democratic gains,particularly in suburban and exurban districts. [29]
Russo’s leadership tenure drew renewed attention following her June 2025 announcement that she would step down as House Minority Leader at the end of the month. [30] Analysts noted that Ohio Democrats continued to operate within a Republican-favored legislative landscape,with prior assessments highlighting persistent structural disadvantages for the caucus despite competitive performances in several suburban districts. [31]
