PDF/Printer Friendly VersionTuesday Ohioans headed to the polls to vote on primaries for a wide array of offices including Governor, all statewide office holders, all Ohio House of Representatives districts and half of the Ohio Senate seats. Additionally congressional and US Senate members are also up for re-election this year and there was one hotly contested race to fill the seat vacated by now former Congressman Pat Tiberi. The Ohio Chamber of Commerce has compiled a list of unofficial primary winners.
2018 Primary Election Report - Here are a few of the top headlines from an exciting night in Ohio politics

DeWine & Cordray Advance in Race to Replace Kasich

The race for Governor was called early in favor of Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and former Ohio Attorney General and head of the CFPB, Rich Cordray. The general election is a 2010 rematch of the Attorney General Race that saw DeWine defeat Cordray by only one percentage point.

Trump Ally Jim Renacci defeats Gibbons

AP has called the race for Congressman Jim Renacci. Renacci had the support of Donald Trump and Mike Pence as he defeated Cleveland area businessman Mike Gibbons and others this evening. Renacci will face off with popular incumbent Democrat Sen. Sherrod Brown in the general. Trump’s endorsement was a game-changer in a race that was considered close by some heading into this evening.

Sprague holds off O’Brien, Statewide Races Set

With Robert Sprague holding off Sandy O’Brien in the race for state treasurer, the four statewide office races are set and will all be competitive. With 80% reporting he was up 15 points on O’Brien

OCCPAC Endorsed Candidates go 17-2 in General Assembly Races

Ohio Chamber of Commerce PAC (OCCPAC) endorsed General Assembly candidates took care of business in their races tonight in all but two instances. Democrat candidate Larry Moliterno, CEO of Meridian Healthcare in the Mahoning Valley came up short against Eric Ungaro in the race for the 58th House District. Dover City Councilman Shane Gunnoe lost in the Republican primary for the 98th House District by eight votes. See our full recap of the General Assembly races below.

Gonzales & Balderson win open seat primaries for U.S. Congress

In Ohio’s 16th House District, former Ohio State Buckeye and Indianapolis Colt Anthony Gonzales defeated State Rep. Christina Hagan and a cast of others in the GOP primary to fill Congressman Renacci’s seat. Gonzales put a strong team around him to win the primary and was able to raise the necessary funds to carry the day. He has potential to be a political star in Ohio for many years to come. In the special primary for Pat Tiberi’s seat, Troy Balderson held on beating a huge field with 29% of the vote. Runner-up Melanie Leneghan lost by about 700 votes total.

State Issue 1 Passes

There was overwhelming support for State Issue 1 throughout the Ohio tonight. The measure, supported by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, revamps the process for how congressional districts are drawn and will curb gerrymandering by partisans and encourage competition.

The following is a breakdown of each contested primary for the General Assembly, beginning with the House and moving to the Senate.

Race-by-Race: Ohio House

6th District (Republican) Former State Rep. Jim Trakas defeated businessman Michael Canty 57-43%.
8th District (Democrat) Perennial candidate Cassandra McDonald lost to Rep. Kent Smith 67-33%
10th District (Democrat) In a field of nine , Terrence Upchurch emerged victorious in the open seat primary to replace outgoing Rep. Patmon.
12th District (Democrat) In a field of six. Juanita Brenttook 40% of the vote in the open seat to replace term-limited Rep. John Barnes.
13th District (Democrat) Sen. Mike Skindell extends his career in the General Assembly by defeating Tom Bullock 56-44% for term-limited Rep. Nickie Antonio’s house seat.
14th District (Democrat) Marty Sweeney’s daughter Bride Sweeney won her father’s seat with 46% of the vote, defeating three opponents.
16th District (Republican) Rep. Dave Greenspan (R-Westlake) held off Monique Boyd by a huge margin of 90-10%. Boyd is the niece of GOP mega-donor Tony George.
19th District (Democrat) Mary Lightbody, a OSU professor defeated activist Noni Banks 60-40% This suburban Franklin County district will be competitive come the general election.
19th District (Republican) Tim Barhorst an Insurance agent defeated New Albany-Plain Trustee Dave Ferguson, and Chris Curry with 54% of the vote. This is Anne Gonzales’ current house district. She is term-limited and running for the Ohio Senate.
21st District (Democrat) Dr. Beth Liston defeated trial attorney Mindy Yocum 73-27% Beth is raising some serious money and will make a play for this currently held Republican seat (Mike Duffey is termed out) come the fall.
21st District (Republican) OCCPAC endorsed candidate Stu Harris defeated Worthington Councilman Doug Smith 69-31%. This race was never in question. Stu has been building a strong political operation with an eye towards Dr. Liston in the general election.
24th District (Democrat) One of the more competitive three-way primaries was won be Allison Russo, taking 55% of the vote. With Jim Hughes running for a judgeship, Russo will face Erik Yassenoff in the general. This district has a 50/50 index and is very much up for grabs.
25th District (Democrat) Rep. Bernadine Kent won a crowded four-way primary with 46% of the vote in this Columbus area seat.
26th District (Democrat) Erica Crawley defeated Michael Cole 70-30% in the race for Hearcel Craig’s house seat in Columbus.
28th District (Democrat) Paul Sohi, another perennial candidate lost to Jessica Miranda 60-40%.
28th District (Democrat) OCCPAC endorsed candidate, Rep. Jonathan Dever won his primary against two write-in candidates. Dever will face Miranda in a competitive general in November.
33Rd District (Democrat) Sedrick Denson will look to replace term-limited Rep. Alicia Reece after defeating Kathy Goodwin-Williams 63-37%
36th District (Democrat) Tim Piatt defeated Noah Spinner. He now faces Rep. Tony DeVitis who is running for a final term.
37th District (Republican) Stow Councilman Mike Rasor defeated Dexter Vaughn and Craig Shubert with 77% of the vote to secure the Republican nomination for term-limited Rep. Kristina Roegner’s seat. Casey Weinstein, the 2016 Democrat challenger, has been mounting up a strong organization for the general.
39th House District (Democrat) OCCPAC backed Minority Leader Fred Strahorn took 80% of the vote, defeating Ryan Griggs in his primary contest.
40th District (Democrat) Ryan Taylor has defeated Albert Griggs 69-31%. He will face Republican Montgomery County Sheriff Phil Plummer in the race for Mike Henne’s term-limited seat.
42nd District (Democrat) Zack Dickerson won his primary with Autumn Kerns 56-44%
42nd District (Republican) OCCPAC endorsed Rep. Niraj Antani won a three-way primary with 61% of the vote. One of the tougher contests for an incumbent.
43rd District (Republican) Jeffrey Todd Smith, an area pastor, defeated Kenny Henning, a Clayton City Councilman 55-45%
44th District (Democrat) Former Toledo Mayor Paula Hicks-Hudson was victorious over Robert Worthington. She’ll look to replace term-limited Rep. Ashford who is running for the Ohio Senate.
47th District (Republican) OCCPAC endorsed Rep. Derek Merrin defeated 2016 rival Barbara Lang 67- 33%
50th District (Republican) Reggie Stoltzfus won the primary against Christina Hagan’s brother Josh, taking 60% of the vote.
51st District (Republican) Proctor & Gamble heiress Sara Carruthers knocked off incumbent Rep. Wes Retherford, and former State Rep. Greg Jolivette with 47% of the vote.
56th District (Democrat) Joe Miller looks to replace Rep. Dan Ramos in the Ohio House. He beat three other candidates by taking 35% of the vote.
59th District (Democrat) OCCPAC endorsed candidate Larry Moliterno lost to educator Eric Ungaro 65 - 35% Ungaro is looking to replace Rep. Boccieri who is running for the Ohio Senate.
61st District (Republican) Former State Rep. Jamie Callender defeated City Councilman John Plecnik in a tough race, taking 57% of the vote.
62nd District (Republican) OCCPAC endorsed candidate Rep. Scott Lipps had no problem in his first test as an incumbent. He won 61% of the vote.
64th District (Republican) Martha Yoder beat Randy Law again 58-42% and will square of with Rep. Michael O’Brien in the general.
65th District (Republican) Rep. John Becker defeated small business owner Erin Neace 71-29%
66th District (Democrat) Jeff Richards beats Brian Flick 57-42% He will face incumbent Rep. Doug Green in the general.
67th District (Republican) Sen. Kris Jordan won a three-way primary for the open house seat with 40% of the vote. He is looking to seat swap with Andy Brenner.
72nd District (Republican) OCCPAC endorsed candidate Larry Householder defeats political novice Kevin Black 63-37%.
75th District (Democrat) In a three-way primary, Randi Clites took 45% of the vote. She will look to replace Rep. Kathleen Clyde who is running for Ohio Secretary of State.
78th District (Republican) OCCPAC endorsed Rep. Ron Hood took 75% of the vote to win his three-way primary.
80th District (Republican) Political newcomer Jena Powell beat a stacked field by a huge margin, 49% of the vote. This result is not shocking, but the margin of victory is quite impressive.
81st District (Republican) Recently appointed Rep. Jim Hoops will return for another term, defeating Thomas Liebrecht 66-35%
83rd District (Republican) Another vicious primary, Jon Cross defeated Cheryl Buckland in the race for Rep. Sprague’s open seat.
84th District (Republican) Susan Manchester a former Jim Jordan staffer pulled it out in the 84th. She won a three-way primary with 37% of the vote.
85th District (Republican) Rep. Nino Vitale beat the field to retain his seat. He won with 70% of the vote.
86th District (Republican) OCCPAC endorsed candidate Tracy Richardson defeated Robert Sammons 71-28%. She looks to replace Rep. Dorothy Pelanda.
87th District (Republican) Recently appointed and OCCPAC endorsed Rep. Riordan McClain won a threeway primary that included former Rep. Steve Reinhard, taking 41% of the vote. He beat Reinhard by 60 votes.
90th District (Democrat) Attorney Adrienne Buckler won her primary for this open seat currently held by Rep. Terry Johnson. She defeated Joni Fearing by 77-23%.
90th District (Republican) Brian Baldridge won this four-way primary with 40% of the vote.
91st District (Republican) County Commissioner Shane Wilken easily defeats Beth Liston for Former Speaker Rosenberger’s seat 56-44%
96th District (Republican) Bob Mazeroski wins his primary against Fiona Ruminiski 72-28%. He will take on Rep. Jack Cera in the fall.
97th District (Democrat) Kristine Geis will challenge incumbent Rep. Brian Hill in the fall. She defeated Jennifer Reisbeck-Mahoney 51-49%
98th District (Republican) OCCPAC endorsed candidate Shane Gunnoe lost a five-way primary by eight votes in the 98th House District to Brett Hudson Hillyer.
Race-by-Race: Ohio Senate

1st District (Republican) OCCPAC endorsed Sen. Rob McColley wins a three-way primary with 61% of the vote
3rd District (Democrat) It is unclear whether write-in candidate Katherine Chipps or Tina Maharath won at time of publication
7th District (Republican) OCCPAC endorsed Sen. Steve Wilson holds off a challenge from the right in Brad Lamoreaux. He won 57-43%
9th District (Democrat) Cecil Thomas defeated Dale Mallory 74-26%
11th District (Democrat) Rep. Teresa Fedor defeated her Ohio House colleague Mike Ashford 56-44%
13th District (Republican) Rep. Nathan Manning defeated Ryan Sawyer 75-25%. He looks to seat swap with his mother Sen. Gayle Manning next General Assembly.
15th District (Democrat) Hearcel Craig wins his primary for Sen. Tavares’ seat easily with 73% of the vote.
19th District (Republican) OCCPAC endorsed candidate Andy Brenner defeats Joel Spitzer 67-33%
21st District (Democrat) Sen. Sandra Williams held off Jeff Johnson and Rep. Bill Patmon to win her primary with 60% of the vote.
23rd District (Democrat) Rep. Nickie Antonio has defeated Rep. Marty Sweeney 55-45%% and likely punches ticket to Ohio Senate due to a non-competitive general.
25th District (Democrat) Ohio Senate Minority Leader Kenny Yuko held off John Barnes 59-41%Should you have any additional questions regarding this topic please contact Charlotte Hickcox or any of our other professionals.

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