Two races that have been up in the air since Election Day have finally been resolved after the Franklin County Board of Elections finished counting provisional ballots on Dec. 7.
According to results released by the board of elections, Democrat Mary Jo Kilroy defeated Republican Steve Stivers for the 15th United States Congressional District seat by 2,311 votes.
Also, Democrat Marian Harris defeated Republican Brad Lewis for the 19th District Ohio House of Representatives seat by 735 votes.
Governor Ted Strickland stated, following the announcement of Kilroy’s victory, "Congresswoman-elect Kilroy joins other newly-elected Democrats, like John Boccieri and Steve Driehaus, who together represent a new generation of Ohio Democrats. They will be strong advocates for the people in Washington. I look forward to working in partnership with the next Congress to rebuild and renew Ohio’s economy."
Added Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern, "Mary Jo Kilroy will be a strong, capable voice for the residents of the 15th Congressional District and a great partner for Barack Obama on Capitol Hill. Central Ohio will be well-served by Congresswoman-elect Kilroy’s drive to change Washington and put government back on the side of the American people."
In response to the results, Stivers stated: "I have been honored by the tremendous outpouring of support for my bipartisan message of working together to fix all that is wrong with Washington. Throughout the race, I have been deeply humbled by the tireless volunteers who sacrificed their time and poured their talents and energy into this campaign…While I am extremely proud of the race I ran, ultimately, is was not enough. I have called Commissioner Kilroy to congratulate her for her hard-fought victory, and I wish her well in Washington."
In a statement to her supporters, Harris said, "I promise I will represent the 19th Ohio House District the best I can and then some."
Added Redfern, "Marian Harris’ victory means that residents of the 19th House District will have a great advocate working with Governor Strickland to rebuild Ohio’s economy."
No further recounts are anticipated in either race.
