The new congressional map approved last week by Ohio House Republicans not only pits GOP congressmen Mike Turner and Steve Austria against each other in the new 10th District, but it also splits Montgomery County’s black community between that district and U.S. House Speaker John Boehner’s 8th.

The new map cuts down into north and west Dayton, putting 41 percent of the county’s black voting age population — which votes heavily Democratic — into the district Boehner, a Republican from West Chester Twp. in Butler County, has dominated for years.

If approved by the Ohio Senate, Boehner’s new district will include Miami, Darke, Preble, Butler and part of Mercer counties — all rural or suburban and heavily Republican.

The remaining 59 percent of Montgomery County’s potential black voters would be included in a district that contains all of Greene, Fayette, Pickaway counties and most of Fairfield County. Those are also mostly rural or suburban, Republican counties.

Both of the new districts heavily favor Republican candidates, according to an analysis by the Ohio Campaign for Accountable Redistricting.

Voters interviewed Friday in West Dayton and Vandalia weren’t happy with the prospect of being transferred to Boehner’s district and having Montgomery County’s clout split up.

“I think it’s wrong,” said Phillip Fields, who lives in Clayton. “You know, I try to be an optimist, but sometimes it feels as though they (politicians) just do what’s best for them.”

Fields, a newly retired teacher with more than 30 years in the Dayton public school system, said he doesn’t think the split was an accident.

“I don’t want to lose faith, because they are our leaders, and I believe there are more good people than bad,” Fields said, standing outside of the Dayton Public Library’s Fort McKinley Branch. “But sometimes it’s disheartening.”

Eddie Washington, of Dayton, was more blunt.

“They do what they always do,” said the 73-year-old Washington of Ohio’s politicians.

“You know the golden rule? Whoever has the gold rules. Now, who’s got the money? Republicans got the money.”

Michelle Upshaw, 40, of Vandalia, said she opposes diluting Montgomery County’s black voters.

“I definitely don’t think it’s fair,” said Upshaw, outside the Vandalia Recreation Center. “I’m not sure what can be done, but I definitely don’t think it’s fair.”

Greg Gantt, chairman of the Montgomery County Republican Party, doesn’t agree on the fairness issue, but he’s not all that pleased with the new map either.

“In the Miami Valley, I don’t think anybody’s real happy with the new lines,” Gantt said.

Nevertheless, the Ohio House had to follow guidelines about population and diluting minority votes, he said. And in terms of fairness of Ohio’s system for drawing new districts, Gantt said it depends on your perspective.

Democrats controlled the Ohio House and drew the lines for five decades until 2000, he said.

“I don’t remember reading about Democrats complaining about the lines during that time span,” he said.

“If you look at the big historical picture, some years the Ds draw the lines, and some years the Rs draw the lines. So it’s fair if you stand back and look at it from a broad perspective.”

Richard Brady, of Vandalia, said the new maps should be no surprise to anyone.

“I think they’re gerrymandering,” said Brady. “But would the Democrats do the same thing? In all likelihood, I think they would.”

Brady said he doesn’t like Ohio’s system, which allows the party in power to draw the lines to favor them for the next decade.

“Obviously it’s not right the way it’s done, whether the Republicans do it or the Democrats do it,” Brady said. “Whoever is in power sweetens it up for them.”

Kara Grasty, 21, of Vandalia, agreed that it only makes sense that the party in control would play the rules to their advantage.

And that’s part of the problem, said Grasty who described herself as an independent voter.

“I unfortunately think our country is way too focused on parties, and not on what’s best,” Grasty said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2393 or kmccall@DaytonDailyNews.com.