Redistricting in Ohio means former Democratic presidential candidate and progressive favorite Rep. Dennis Kucinich will have to unseat Rep. Marcy Kaptur, another congressional stalwart, in today's 9th District primary if he's to return to Washington for a ninth term.

Kaptur has represented parts of the district in congress since 1983, and is a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee.

Now, according to ONNTV.com , she leads Kucinich by more than 10 points (26,785 to 21,173) with 53 percent of precincts reporting.

The two leading Ohio liberals were grouped together when the Republican-controlled state legislature re-drew the districts in accordance with population shifts measured by the 2010 census.

Despite the fact that both candidates have similar political records and views, it's been a contentious race. The eventual winner could face off with none other than Samuel " Joe the Plumber " Wurzelbacher, who is a candidate in the district's Republican primary.

Wurzelbacher is locked in a tight battle for the nomination with Steven Kraus.

Update: As of 12:45 a.m. on Wednesday, March 7, ONNTV reported that Wurzelbacher won the primary by less than a thousand votes, and Kucinich lost to Kaptur, 42,451 to 29,892.