Despite losing Athens County by more than 2,000 votes, state Rep. Jimmy Stewart, R-Athens, appears poised to retain control of his 92nd District seat in the House of Representatives.
But he and his opponent acknowledge the race is not finished because as many as 1,500 ballots remain uncounted.
Stewart carried Washington, Meigs and Morgan counties ' the other counties in the 92nd District ' by about 3,500 votes, meaning he holds approximately a 1,500-vote lead. He said yesterday he was cautiously optimistic and would wait until all the Athens County provisional ballots were counted before officially acknowledging a victory.
My understanding is it looks pretty good
Stewart said.
Democratic challenger Debbie Phillips, an Athens city councilwoman, said yesterday she still is waiting for all the provisional ballots, which could number 1,500, to be counted until she considers the race finished. Provisional ballots are typically counted within a 10-day period after the election, but Phillips said Tuesday that because so many were cast, it could take longer.
The house Democratic caucus is looking at this as a race that's still in play Phillips said. I think overall I'm pretty pleased with the numbers. We have to see how it turns out with all of the votes in.
No one could be reached for comment yesterday at the Athens County Board of Elections to confirm exactly how many provisional ballots must be counted.
Athens County did not report local election results until around 10 a.m. yesterday because of a malfunction in the machinery used to count votes. The county was the last one in Ohio to report results, leaving it very unclear late Tuesday night whether Phillips or Stewart would win the 92nd District seat.
Stewart took office in 2003 after being the first legislator elected to a redrawn 92nd District. In the five months before Tuesday's election, Stewart outspent Phillips by about $25,000.
Stewart said the numbers in Athens County, where Republicans always struggle, did not surprise him. He also said he expected strong support from the three other counties in the district.
That's how all of my past elections have been
and I appreciate their support
he said.
Though Democrats captured most statewide offices, Stewart said he is confident he can work with the new administration.
I certainly want to work with the administration in a bi-partisan manner to try and tackle these issues
Stewart said. I would certainly hope that we will be able to.
Phillips said she was happy with the results even in counties outside Athens, which historically have favored Stewart.
In looking at the past couple elections
it's pretty much an improvement across the board
she said. We actually spent a lot of time in the outlying areas in the places where people maybe didn't really know me as well.
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