2018 Ohio primary election update and summary

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Ballot box

On Tuesday, May 8, 2018, Ohioans cast ballots in the 2018 primary election. For the first time since 2006, five statewide elected offices were up for election without an incumbent running in the 2018 general election. Below, we have compiled results of some races of particular note and will continue to closely watch these races and others as we move toward the general election in November. (A full list of results from the Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate races with primary contests is also included.)

As results continue to come in, be advised that some of the information below may change. We will continue to update this publication as the boards of elections finalize results.

U.S. Senate

Congressman Jim Renacci (R-Wadsworth) successfully defeated Cleveland businessman Mike Gibbons for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senator. Congressman Renacci received about 47 percent of the vote, while Mr. Gibbons received almost 32 percent of the vote. Congressman Renacci will face Democratic incumbent Senator Sherrod Brown in the November general election. Congressman Renacci branded himself as the “Trump” candidate, while Mr. Gibbons described himself as a moderate conservative outsider. President Trump publicly endorsed Congressman Renacci before the primary election.

 

 

U.S. House of Representatives

 

 

Former Republican Congressman Pat Tiberi retired from Congress in January 2018, and 17 candidates filed to fill his seat in Ohio’s 12th Congressional District. With a crowded Republican field for the special primary and primary elections, State Senator Troy Balderson (R-Zanesville) led his opponent in both races with about 29 percent of the vote for the special primary election for the unexpired term and 29 percent of the vote for the primary election for the new term. Challenger Melanie Leneghan, a township trustee and a vocal supporter of President Trump, was closely behind Senator Balderson as of the publication of this memo. Ms. Leneghan had the support of U.S. Congressman and former Chairman of the Freedom Caucus Jim Jordan. She received 28 percent of the vote in the special primary election for the unexpired term and about 28 percent in the primary election for the new term.

In the Democratic primaries, Franklin County Recorder Danny O’Connor Jr. emerged from a field of six candidates and will face the Republican nominee Senator Troy Balderson in both the special election on August 7, 2018, and the general election in November 2018. This election is expected to garner national attention as elections forecasters have been predicting a close contest for this normally-reliable Republican congressional district.

Current State Representative Christina Hagan (R-Alliance) ran against former Ohio State University football player Anthony Gonzalez for Congressman Renacci’s seat. Mr. Gonzalez, who has never held elected office before, won the Republican nomination for the Ohio’s 16th Congressional District with about 53 percent of the vote.

Governor

Ohio’s Attorney General Mike DeWine and Secretary of State Jon Husted defeated Lt. Governor Mary Taylor and Nathan Estruth for the Republican nomination for Governor, receiving about 60 percent of the vote. The Republican primary was particularly heated between Attorney General DeWine and Lt. Governor Taylor. Lt. Governor Taylor branded herself as the “Trump” candidate. Lt. Governor Taylor called Attorney General DeWine to concede the election around 9:00 p.m.

Richard Cordray, former director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and a former Ohio Attorney General, prevailed in the Democratic Primary against former U.S. Congressman Dennis Kucinich, State Senator Joe Schiavoni (D-Boardman) and former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Bill O’Neill, among other Democratic opponents. Mr. Cordray received about 62 percent of the vote, beating early poll numbers by more than 10 points. The 2018 general election’s race for governor is a rematch of the 2010 election for Ohio Attorney General, where DeWine won a very close race against Cordray.

Treasurer

Two Republicans sought the nomination for state Treasurer. State Representative Robert Sprague (R-Findlay) defeated former treasurer for Ashtabula County Sandra O’Brien with about 60 percent of the vote. Ms. O’Brien had previously run for Ohio Treasurer of State in 2006 after winning a primary election over Republican State Treasurer Jennette Bradley. However, she was defeated in the 2006 general election by first-time successful statewide candidate Richard Cordray. Representative Sprague was the candidate officially endorsed by the Ohio Republican Party.

The Democratic nominee Rob Richardson was unopposed. Mr. Richardson is lawyer from Cincinnati and previously ran unsuccessfully to become Cincinnati’s mayor.

Attorney General

Auditor Dave Yost ran unopposed for the Republican nomination for Attorney General. Likewise, former U.S. Attorney Steve Dettelbach was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.

Secretary of State

Both State Senator Frank LaRose (R-Hudson) and State Representative Kathleen Clyde (D-Kent) were unopposed for the Republican and Democratic nomination for Secretary of State.

Auditor

Former Senate President and current State Representative Keith Faber (R-Celina) and former U.S. Congressman Zack Space (D-Dover) were both unopposed for their parties’ respective nominations.

Ohio Supreme Court

Neither of the two seats on the Ohio Supreme Court had contested primaries in the 2018 primary election. Republican Fifth District Court of Appeals Judge Craig Baldwin will face Democratic Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Michael Donnelly to replace Justice Terrence O’Donnell. Earlier this year, Governor John Kasich appointed Justice Mary DeGenaro, previously of the Seventh District Court of Appeals, to replace Justice Bill O’Neill, who ran for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, for the remainder of the unexpired term. Justice DeGenaro will run against Democratic Eighth District Court of Appeals Judge Melody Stewart for the new term.

Ohio House

There were 48 contested primaries for Ohio House of Representative seats. Notably, incumbent Representative Wes Retherford (R-Hamilton) was defeated by philanthropist Sara Carruthers. Former Representative Greg Jolivette, a former Hamilton mayor and Butler County commissioner, also ran in this primary for the Republican nomination against Representative Retherford. Incumbent Representative Niraj Antani (R-Miamisburg) won his primary against two challengers for the 42nd House District, receiving about 63 percent of the vote.

After an intense primary election season, the House must now turn its attention to replacing former Speaker of the Ohio House Cliff Rosenberger who resigned in April. The race for interim Speaker of the House for the remainder of the 132nd General Assembly is set for May 15, 2018.

Democrats also had several primaries in Ohio House seats. Business specialist Terrence Upchurch won an eight-person primary for the 10th House District by 30 percent of the vote. Mr. Upchurch will likely be the next 10th House District Representative, as there is no Republican challenger in the general election. Senator Mike Skindell (D-Lakewood) successfully defeated Thomas Bullock in the primary for the 13th House District. Mr. Bullock was endorsed by the Cuyahoga Democratic Party and U.S. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-Toledo).

Ohio Senate

Incumbents were generally successful in the primary election for Ohio Senate. Senator Robert McColley (R-Napoleon), who was appointed to represent the 1st Senate District, won the primary by more than 61 percent of the vote. Likewise, Senator Steve Wilson (R-Maineville), who was also appointed to the Senate, defeated his primary challenger by 57 percent of the vote. Representatives Andrew Brenner (R-Powell) and Nathan Manning (R-North Ridgeville) won their nominations to seek open seats in the Senate.

Senate Majority Leader Kenny Yuko (D-Richmond Heights) won his race against term-limited Representative John Barnes Jr. (D-Cleveland) for the 25th Senate District with about 59 percent of the vote. Senators Sandra Williams (D-Cleveland) and Cecil Thomas (D-Cincinnati) were also successful in their primary elections. Representatives Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood), Hearcel Craig (D-Columbus) and Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) won their primaries for open Senate seats. Representative Antonio defeated Representative Martin Sweeney (D-Cleveland) for the 23rd Senate District nomination, receiving about 54 percent of the vote.

Issue 1 – Congressional Redistricting

Issue 1 passed by over 74 percent of the vote. This bipartisan congressional redistricting proposal establishes a three-tiered process where the General Assembly will get the first attempt at drawing a ten-year map. Issue 1 is a General Assembly initiated constitutional amendment. The General Assembly created this bipartisan plan to change congressional redistricting in Ohio throughout the first several months of 2018. The new map is required to keep 65 counties whole within congressional districts and can only divide up to 18 counties once and up to five counties twice. The proposed map must be approved by a supermajority of both chambers, including 50 percent of the minority party.

If the General Assembly fails to pass a congressional map with bipartisan support, the Ohio Redistricting Commission is able to draw a second draft of a map. The Ohio Redistricting Commission is composed of seven members. If the map cannot get two minority party members’ approval, the General Assembly receives the opportunity to draw another draft map. If the Ohio General Assembly fails to get one-third of the minority party to approve the map, it is only good for four years, instead of 10, and must adhere to stricter rules for splitting counties.

Ohio House of Representatives Candidates
*Primary election winners in bold.

District Number

Incumbent

Candidate(s)

Republican

Democrat

6

 

Michael Canty
Jim Trakas

Phil Robinson

8

Kent Smith

 

Kent Smith
Cassandra McDonald

10

 

 

Nelson Cintron Jr.
TJ Dow
Kyle Earley
Ronnie Jones
Aanand Mehta
Billy Sharp
Danielle Shepherd
Terrence Upchurch

12

 

 

Juanita Brent
Patrice Brown
Earl Campbell Sr.
Yvonka Hall
Dimitri McDaniel
Isaac Powell

13

 

Jay Carson

Tom Bullock
Michael Skindell

14

 

 

Carl J. Burgio

Steve Holecko

Rick Raley

Bride Rose Sweeney

16

Dave Greenspan

Dave Greenspan
Monique Jonevieve Boyd

Cassimir Svigelj

19

 

Tim Barhorst
Chris Curry
Dave Ferguson

Noni Banks
Mary Lightbody

21

 

Stu Harris
Doug Smith

Beth Liston
Mindy Yocum

24

 

Erik Yassenoff

Andrea Bonny
Mary Relotto
Allison Russo

25

Bernadine Kennedy Kent

Debbie Staggs

Bernadine Kennedy Kent
Ismail Mohamed
Lamar Peoples II

26

 

Shareeque Arife Sadiq

Michael Cole
Erica Crawley

28

 

Jonathan Dever

Jessica Miranda
Paul Sohi

33

 

 

Sedrick Denson
Kathy Goodwin-Williams

36

Anthony DeVitis

Anthony DeVitis

Timothy Piatt
J. Noah Spinner

37

 

Mike Rasor
Craig Shubert
Dexter Vaughan

Casey Weinstein

39

Fred Strahorn

 

Fred Strahorn
Walter James Hickman, Jr.

40

 

Phil Plummer

Albert Griggs
Ryan Taylor

42

Niraj Antani

Niraj Antani
Sarah Clark
Marcus Rech

Zach Dickerson
Autumn Kern

43

 

Kenneth Henning
Jeffrey Todd Smith

Dan Foley

44

 

Kenneth Cousino

Paula Hicks-Hudson
Robert James Worthington

47

Derek Merrin

Derrek Merrin
Barbara Lang

Gary Newnham

50

 

Josh Hagan
Reggie Stoltzfus

Cassie Gabelt

51

Wes Retherford

Wes Retherford
Sara Carruthers
Greg Jolivette

Susan Vaughn

56

 

Rob Weber

Mark Ballard II
Joe Miller
Claudia Olaes
Cory Shawver

59

 

Don Manning

Larry Moliterno
Eric Ungaro

61

 

John Plecnik
Jamie Callender

Rick Walker

62

Scott Lipps

Scott Lipps
Daniel Kroger

Jim Staton

64

Michael O’Brien

Randy Law
Martha Yoder

Michael O’Brien

65

John Becker

John Becker
Erin Neace

Patricia Lawrence

66

Doug Green

Doug Green

Brian Flick
Jeff Richards

67

 

Kris Jordan
Denise Martin
Brian Lorenz

Cory Hoffman

72

Larry Householder

Larry Householder
Kevin Black

Tyler Shipley

73

Rick Perales

Rick Perales
Jocelyn Smith

Kim McCarthy

75

Jim Lutz

Jim Lutz

Denise Baba
Randi Clites
Alice Freitas

78

Ron Hood

Ron Hood
Austin Reid
Andrew Smigelski

Amber Daniels

80

 

John O’Brien
J.D. Winteregg
Jena Powell
George Lovett

 

81

Jim Hoops

Jim Hoops
Thomas Liebrecht

Janet Breneman

83

 

Jon Cross
Cheryl Buckland

 

84

 

Travis Faber
Aaron Heilers
Susan Manchester

Joe Monbeck

85

Nino Vitale

Nino Vitale
Rochiel Foulk
Justin Griffis
Joseph Ratermann

Garrett Baldwin

86

 

Tracy Richardson
Robert Matthew Sammons

Glenn Coble

87

Riordan McClain

Riordan McClain1
Steve Reinhard
Doug Weisenauer

Mary Pierce-Broadwater

90

 

Brian Baldridge
Gina Collinsworth
Justin Pizzulli
Scottie Powell

Adrienne Buckler
Joni Fearing

91

 

Beth Ellis
Shane Wilkin

Justin Grimes

96

Jack Cera

Bob Mazeroski
Fiona Ruminski

Jack Cera

97

Brian Hill

Brian Hill

Kristine Geis
Jennifer Riesbeck Mahoney

98

 

Mark Behrendt
Shane Gunnoe
Larry Hawthorne
Brett Hudson Hillyer
Greg Ress

Jeremiah Johnson

 

Ohio Senate Candidates
*Primary election winners in bold

District Number

Incumbent

Candidate(s)

Republican

Democrat

1

Robert McColley

Robert McColley
Bob Barker Jr.
Craig Kupferberg

Adam Papin

3

 

Anne Gonzales

Tina Maharath
Katherine Chipps

7

Steve Wilson

Steve Wilson
Brad Lamoreaux

Sara Bitter

9

Cecil Thomas

 

Cecil Thomas
Dale Mallory

11

 

Ernest McCarthy

Michael Ashford
Teresa Fedor

13

 

Nathan Manning
Ryan Sawyer

Sharon Sweda

15

 

Jordan Garcea

Hearcel Craig
Jodi Howell

19

 

Andrew Brenner
Joel Spitzer

Louise Valentine

21

Sandra Williams

 

Sandra Williams
Willie Lewis Britt
Jeff Johnson
Bill Patmon

23

 

 

Nickie Antonio
Mark Clark
Martin Sweeney

25

Kenny Yuko

Bob Murphy

John E. Barnes Jr.
Kenny Yuko
Renee Lindsley

 


1 Currently, the Ohio Secretary of State’s unofficial results show McClain with 4,333 votes and Steve Reinhard with 4,273 votes. Some media outlets have called the race for McClain as overseas absentee ballots and provisional ballots have yet to be counted.

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