Will Kucinich leave Ohio?

LAKEWOOD, Ohio - Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich said Thursday he's been asked by other states to represent them in Congress, but he hasn't made any decisions.

Kucinich's 10th district which he has represented since 1997 may be dramatically altered or eliminated by redistricting next year.  Kucinich says he intends to stay in Congress, so he'll have to make some decisions about what district to run in.

"If I don't have anywhere I can run in Ohio, I have to start thinking about what my options are," he said. "I prefer to continue serving the district I've served for as long as I have.  But that's not my choice to make in terms of the map."

The redistricting is the result of population declines in the 2010 census.  Ohio will lose two districts.

Reaction from Kucinich's constituents is mixed.

Isabelle Galizio of Strongsville doesn't think he can win election in another state, because he's not known there. She wants him to stay in Ohio and run in whatever district his house lands in regardless of who represents that district now. "All's fair in love and war," she said.

However Christian Ostenson, who owns property in Lakewood, won't be angry if he moves.  "I'd  hate to see him leave," he said, "but everybody has to grow and go onto their next thing."