Most Warren County residents will have a new congressman next year if a proposed map for Ohio's U.S. House districts is adopted this month by the General Assembly.

        Lebanon and points south would leave Democratic Rep. Ted Strickland's 6th District and join Republican Rep. Rob Portman's 2nd District, according to the Republican-drawn map.

        Mr. Portman, of Hamilton County's Terrace Park, had represented northern Warren County, but those voters would be folded into the 3rd District, now represented by Democratic Rep. Tony Hall of Dayton.

        “I think he and the people would be comfortable with each other,” Hall spokesman Michael Gessel said Wednesday. “It appears that it will be northern Warren County, which is very much aligned with the Dayton area.”

        The proposed map mirrors the tendency of those north of Lebanon to look to Dayton for jobs, shopping and other necessities while those south of Lebanon look to Cincinnati.

        “It would have been a nice, neat package to have all of Warren County in one district, but that's not the important thing,” said Lori Viars, president of the county's Right to Life chapter and a top Republican. “(Having two districts) gives us double the impact, I think.”

        Mr. Hall's presence would put conservative Warren countians in an interesting position. Mr. Hall, a liberal Democrat, is opposed to abortion.

        Mr. Hall, a 23-year veteran of Congress known for his efforts to fight hunger, also would gain Republican-leaning Clinton and Highland counties and lose some of Montgomery County.

        Mr. Portman, chairman of the House Republican leadership, is pleased with his proposed district, spokesman Jim Morrell said.

        He has strong support in Warren County, and the addition of Lebanon gives him an area with personal ties: His grandparents, Bob and Ginny Jones, turned a rundown hotel into the regionally renowned Golden Lamb Inn.

        Mr. Strickland of Lucasville, whose grip on the 6th has solidified over recent years, said Wednesday he's comfortable with his Democrat-dominated new district. It would be concentrated in the east, abandoning the current configuration, which includes 13 counties, from wealthy, fast-growing Warren east through impoverished, mountainous regions.

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