Republican candidates dominated the Seneca County ballots on Election Day, including the re-election of two state representatives and a state senator.
Republican Dave Burke, who got 61 percent of the votes, defeated Democrat Tanyce Addison, who captured 39 percent, by an unofficial vote count of 78,009-50,751 in 92 percent of precincts tallied for Ohio Senate District 26.
Burke received 57 percent of the vote in Seneca County and Addison got 43 percent. Burke won the county by an unofficial vote count of 13,051-9,731.
"I look forward to serving the next four years, and building off of the solid work that we've done," Burke said.
He said during his previous term, the Ohio Senate was able to help fix a budget deficit without increasing taxes and made Ohio No. 4 in the country in job creation.
Addison could not be reached for comment.
Fact Box
County's incumbent GOP representatives re-elected
Districtwide vote totals for state representatives whose districts include Seneca County (unofficial results):
District 87
Jeff McClain, GOP (i) 24,372 - 65 percent
Jeffrey Lehart, Dem 13,125 - 35 percent
District 88
47 of 47 precincts - 100 percent
Rex Damschroder, GOP (i) 12,465 - 57 percent
Bill Young, Dem 9,230 - 43 percent
Republican Rex Damschroder, who received 56 percent of the votes, was re-elected state representative and beat Democrat Bill Young, who got 44 percent, winning by an unofficial vote count of 27,388-21,553 in Ohio District 88.
Damschroder got 57 percent of the votes in Seneca County, while Young received 43 percent. Damschroder won by an unofficial count of 12,465-9,230 in the county.
"I've lost a lot of races in my life," Damschroder said. "I tell ya, it's a lot more fun to win than to lose. It was a solid victory and I feel very honored that I had the chance to represent the people of Seneca County for the last two years, and I look forward to the next two years."
He said he wants to continue focusing on fiscal responsibility and job creation in his next term as state representative.
Young said even though he did not win the election, he appreciated every vote he received.
"It was a pleasure to meet so many great people throughout Seneca County and I enjoyed the whole experience," he said. "I wish it would've went differently, obviously, but I think we got our ideas out there. And I think that maybe people listened to the points we brought up."
He said he appreciated the support from the Tiffin police and fire departments for his campaign.
Republican Jeff McClain was re-elected to the Ohio House District 87 with 65 percent of the vote, defeating Democrat Jeffrey Lehart, who got 35 percent. The unofficial vote count of 80 percent of the district was 24,372-13,125.
Neither candidate could be reached Tuesday evening.
According to The Associated Press, Republicans will continue their control over the Ohio Legislature, having secured enough seats to give them an edge in each chamber.
The GOP had majorities in both the House and Senate going into Tuesday's election.
