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Franklin County Recorder Danny O'Connor (D) that he is ending his campaign for Ohio's 15th Congressional district, citing the recent redistricting of the state map as his reason for dropping out of the race.

The 15th Congressional district U.S. House seat is currently held by . O'Connor nearly pulled off an upset in Ohio's 12th Congressional district race in 2018, but was.

The statement released by O'Connor reads in part, “In 2018, Ohioans were loud and clear in their opposition to partisan gerrymandering. A process was put in place that conferred the responsibility to end that gerrymandering to the Ohio Redistricting Commission. The Republican-controlled Ohio Redistricting Commission ignored that process, drew unconstitutional maps, and denied Ohioans the chance at fair representation."

In March the Ohio Redistricting Commission after the first map was for being unconstitutionally gerrymandered. Observers say the latest map creates 10 districts that heavily favor Republicans, three that heavily favor Democrats and two competitive districts that lean slightly in favor of Democrat candidates.

The statement goes on to say, “It’s shameful that the ACLU Ohio and the League of Women Voters stopped fighting for fair maps in 2022. It allowed the Republican dominated Ohio Redistricting Commission and the legislature to run roughshod over the Ohio Constitution and the will of Ohio voters."

In March the League of Women Voters of Ohio and the ACLU said they had to for the 2022 election because they were out of time.

The Ohio Supreme Court consolidated as unconstitutionally gerrymandered, but no courtroom arguments were set – which means the map will be used for the 2022 election year unless a federal court intervenes.

The Ohio primary election is set for May 3rd, although after the Ohio Supreme Court for being unconstitutionally gerrymandered.

For information on how to vote and a rundown of what you can expect on your ballot, visit .