State Rep. Tracy Richardson will be the Republican candidate in the November general election for District 86 after winning a primary contested by challenger Wezlynn Davis.
“I am honored to serve as the State Representative for our community and truly thank all who supported me in this recent primary campaign,” Richardson wrote in a statement to the Journal-Tribune. “To our residents, please know that your vote of confidence, calls, kindness, messages and signs in your yard meant the world to me.”
According to unofficial results from the Union County Board of Elections, 61.58% of voters, or 5,802 people, in Union County cast their ballots for Richardson compared to 38.42%, or 3,620, for Davis.
Davis received a slightly larger share of the votes cast in Marion County, according to unofficial results from their board of elections.
In that area, Richardson secured 55.63%, or 2,222, of the votes while Davis received 44.37%, or 1,772.
Richardson said she intends to stay strongly connected to the local community and will continue to collaborate with her constituents.
“Moving forward, I hope we will continue to be the caring, connected community that I have served and loved for many years,” Richardson said. “When we work with one another, our future is bright and filled with promise.”
Davis conceded to Richardson Tuesday night and urged those in her party to support her come November.
“As we look ahead to the November general election, I urge our district to support Rep. Richardson as she is the candidate that is tasked with restoring our Republican agenda and leading our community towards a brighter future,” Davis shared in a concession statement.
Richardson, who has served as representative since 2019, will face Democratic candidate Lesley Verbus in the November general election.
Verbus was uncontested in her party’s primary and received 1,422 votes in Union County and 1,096 in Marion County.
A number of other individuals were reelected to their current positions or confirmed as party candidates in the November election. According to unofficial results from the Union County Board of Elections:
— County Commissioner Steve Robinson, who was uncontested in a race for reelection, received 7,660 votes compared to 2,592 undervotes, or individuals who chose not to select any candidate.
Robinson’s second term will commence on Jan. 2, 2025.
— Tom McCarthy was also uncontested in the race to fill current Commissioner Dave Burke’s seat, which he will vacate on Jan. 3, 2025.
McCarthy received 7,748 votes compared to 2,504 undervotes.
— Prosecutor Dave Phillips was uncontested for reelection. He received 7,693 votes compared to 2,559 undervotes.
— Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas Danielle Sullivan was uncontested for reelection. She received 7,406 votes compared to 2,846 undervotes.
— Union County Recorder Karen J. Riffle was uncontested for reelection. She received 7,594 votes compared to 2,658 undervotes.
— County Treasurer Andrew Smarra was uncontested for reelection. He received 7,658 votes compared to 2,594 undervotes.
— County Engineer Jeff Stauch was uncontested for reelection. He received 7,690 votes compared to 2,562 undervotes.
— County Coroner David Applegate was uncontested for reelection. He received 7,985 votes compared to 2,267 undervotes.
— In the Republican primary for U.S. Senator, Bernie Moreno received 46.26% of votes, or 4,425.
Matt Dolan followed with 34.88%, or 3,336 votes, and Frank LaRose received 18.86%, or 1,804 votes.
Moreno will face Sen. Sherrod Brown, who was uncontested in the Democratic primary and received 1,683 votes, in the November general election.
— In the Democratic primary for U.S. Representative in District 4, Tamie Wilson received 1,023 votes, or 64.42%, compared to 565, or 35.58%, who cast their votes for Steve Thomas.
Wilson will challenge Rep. Jim Jordan, who was uncontested in the Republican primary and received 8,688 votes, in the November general election.