2020 Ohio Primary Election Alert
Ohio’s unprecedented 2020 Primary election ended yesterday. After in-person voting was canceled on March 17th, and the Ohio legislature allowed for an additional six weeks of absentee voting to determine the outcomes in elections across the state, results were tallied last night. Some outcomes were predetermined – President Trump will face former Vice President Joe Biden who easily won the Ohio Primary, gaining 72.4% of the Democratic vote, in the presidential election this fall – while a few are still too close to call.
The Covid Election:
In all, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, and the 88 County Boards of Elections ran a smooth election, given the unique circumstances the Coronavirus crisis presented to Ohio’s election.
Despite extremely limited in-person voting, nearly the same percentage of the electorate participated in this year’s mostly mail-in election that did in the 2012 Ohio Primaries.
Congratulations to Secretary LaRose and his staff on a job extremely well done.
Local Spotlight:
In Franklin County, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty fended off her Primary challenger, routing her opponent with 65% of the vote.
State Senator Stephanie Kunze learned her opponent for the Fall, after Crystal Lett won a three-way Democratic Primary.
Issue 22, capital improvements for Columbus State University, passed by a 60-40 margin.
17 Consulting’s own Matt Carle was reelected to another term representing Jefferson Township on the Franklin County Republican Central Committee, as was 17 Consulting favorite Kate Borges, who represents Bexley, Ward 3. Both were unopposed.
Highlighted Ohio Senate Primaries:
In other closely-watched State Senate Primaries, Niraj Antani advanced to the general election in Ohio’s 6th district, where he will face Mark Fogel in the fall.
George Lang won decisively in a three way Primary in district 4, Terry Johnson easily won the Republican nomination in district 14, Mark Romanchuck won big in a crowded field in the Republican Prmary in district 22, and Bill Reineke won the Republican Primary in district 26.
The first-ever O’Brien vs O’Brien general election was set up when Sandra O’Brien won the Republican nomination in District 32. She will face Sean O’Brien in the fall.
Contested Ohio House Primaries:
Marylin John winning the GOP nomination in the heavily Republican 2nd district.
Dontavius Jarrells winning the Democratic nomination to succeed Bernadine Kent in the 25th district.
Democrat Matt Shaughnessey won and will square off with Bob Young in the 36th district.
Rodney Creech will replace J Todd Smith in the 43rd district Republican Primary and now faces Amy Cox in the fall.
Jennifer Gross won the GOP Primary in the 52nd district and will face Chuck Horn.
Former Ohio legislator and Congresswoman Jean Schmidt won the GOP nomination, as did Adam Bird, in their respective Clermont County districts.
Mark Frazier won a closely watched Primary in the 71st district, as did Brian Lampton in the 73rd.
Brian Stewart won his Primary in the 78th district Republican race.
Gary Click will be the GOP nominee in the 88th district.
Congressional Races:
While several incumbent members of Ohio’s Congressional delegation easily won their Primaries, the races were set in the two districts expected to have the most competitive races later this year.
In Ohio’s 1st CD , Congressman Steve Chabot will face Kate Schroder.
In Ohio’s 13th CD, Congressman Tim Ryan will face former State Rep Christina Hagan, who garnered over 65% of the vote among the 7 candidates vying for the GOP nod.
More Results:
A full list of results can be found here: https://liveresults.ohiosos.gov/, and local election results are available at most county Board of Elections websites.
CONGRATULATIONS to all the winners in this year’s election, and to all those who helped run this election under challenging circumstances, we thank you. The stage has now been set for another dramatic Ohio general election – we wish the candidates, their families, and campaign teams the best of luck.