Redistricting could push Brown into governor race.(Sherrod Brown)(Brief Article)

As Statehouse Republicans prepare to redraw the boundaries of Ohio's newly diminished congressional districts, Democrats are bracing for the loss of a Northeast Ohio incumbent--probably U.S. Rep. Sherrod Brown, D-Lorain.

Census data show Ohio, though it grew in population over the last 10 years, will continue a decades-old trend and lose one of its 19 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives due to continuing population shifts to Southern and Western states from the Midwest and Northeast.

Ohio's GOP-controlled General Assembly will redraw Ohio's congressional districts this year since they must be in place for the 2002 elections.

Sources say lawmakers are likely to protect and possibly holster the Republican majorities of Central Ohio's congressional delegation because more …