High stakes for legislative races in Ohio

Jan. 3, 2010, Newark Advocate

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

There’s much at stake in Ohio’s upcoming statehouse races.

In the Ohio General Assembly, Democrats hold a majority of seven seats. Republicans want to take control of the chamber they lost in the 2008 election.

Republicans have the majority in the state Senate — a majority they’re likely to keep. The gubernatorial race is likely to be very competitive.

The party that controls the House will have the upper hand in all of Ohio’s major policy issues including the state budget, education, health care and transportation.

Also, the Legislature will redraw Ohio’s congressional districts after the 2010 U.S. Census. Here’s an early look at the House and Senate seats up for grabs in our area this year.