Fedor says she will stay in current district

Abandons bid to replace Rep. Szollozi in 46th District

Rep. Teresa Fedor

COLUMBUS — State Rep. Teresa Fedor (D., Toledo) said today she will stay put in her new 45th District and will not ask her colleagues to appoint her to replace Rep. Matt Szollosi (D., Oregon) in the neighboring 46th.

She had laid the legal groundwork to make the case that she has maintained dual residency — in her East Toledo rented home in the 45th and the home she still owns in the 46th. The Ohio Constitution requires a state legislator to reside in his district for at least a year before the election, and lawyers for the House considered the vote of her Democratic colleagues to fill the Szollosi vacancy to be an election.

“The unique situation of this potential appointment may be confusing to the voters,” Ms. Fedor said. “Therefore, I have decided to remain as a representative of the 45th Ohio House District. I am proud to work hard and represent voters of the 45th.”

Her decision shifts gears for her colleagues in the House, who will now explore other candidates to fill the seat Mr. Szollosi will officially vacate today. It also means there’s no room in the House now for Toledo City Councilman Lindsay Webb, who was considered Ms. Fedor’s likely replacement in the 45th.

Ms. Fedor made the move and was elected in the 45th District last year after Republicans redrew both her and Mr. Szollosi into a revamped 46th District. The 46th now stretches from Jersusalem Township and Oregon in eastern Lucas County through parts of East and South Toledo to pick up Maumee, Holland, and Springfield Township to the west.

Mr. Szollosi is leaving his leadership position, House seat, Oregon, and his Toledo law practice to move to Columbus to become executive director of the Affiliated Construction Trades of Ohio, a new advocacy group for skilled trades.

Ms. Fedor’s 45th District consists of portions of North, East, and West Toledo; Washington Township, and one Toledo-surrounded precinct in Sylvania Township.