November 6 , 2002 ** GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS ** MASSIVE EFFORT BY BUSINESS RETURNS BALANCE TO OHIO SUPREME COURT The scales of justice in Ohio started to swing back into balance Tuesday night as Ohio voters re-elected Justice Evelyn Stratton (R) and elected Lt. Gov. Maureen O’Connor (R) to the Supreme Court. Tireless efforts by all sectors of the business community gave both campaigns the critical mass they needed to post victories by significant margins. With 92 percent of precincts reporting, Lt. Governor O’Connor held a 58 percent to 42 percent advantage over Municipal Judge Tim Black, a lead of more than 400,000 votes. Justice Stratton had 56 percent of the vote in her race against Judge Janet Burnside, an advantage of more than 300,000 votes. Many factors combined to give these candidates their victories, not the least of which was strong support from the business community. All sectors of the business community, including insurers, physicians, small business owners and farmers, rallied together to elect Stratton and O’Connor. The Ohio Chamber’s issue advocacy arm, Citizens for a Strong Ohio, spent almost $1.2 million educating citizens about the court this fall, running a positive campaign focused on the qualifications of the candidates. The Republican candidates for the court were also boosted by a strong finish by Governor Bob Taft, who was re-elected with 59 percent of the vote. Voters may also have tired of negative campaigns paid for by trial lawyer and labor organizations that attacked the GOP candidates. This effort was the culmination of six years of effort by the Ohio Chamber of Commerce to educate the business community – and all Ohioans – about the importance of the court and its effects on Ohio’s economy. While Tuesday’s results should bring more stability to the court, they will also set up 2004 as a critical year for court races, when as many as four seats may be up for election. GOP ADDS TO OHIO SENATE MARGIN The GOP tide spilled over into races for the Ohio Senate Tuesday, carrying troubled incumbents across the finish line and giving a big victory to the Senate GOP’s top challenger, Rep. John Carey. Based on the results, Republicans will have a 22-12 majority in the Senate next year. Both Chamber Choice candidates – the candidates targeted by the Ohio Chamber who will aggressively champion the free enterprise system and help foster a better climate for business growth and job creation in the legislature – in the Senate, Rep. Carey and Sen. Kevin Coughlin, were victorious. The following is a brief summary of the results of the year’s 17 Senate contests: District 1: Incumbent Sen. Lynn Wachtmann (R-Napoleon) had no trouble holding off challenger William Flanary (D-Defiance), a member of the U.A.W. Local 211 executive board, in posting a 68%-32% win. District 3: In Franklin County, Sen. David Goodman (R-Bexley) finished strong in his race, defeating Gahanna City Councilwoman Debra Payne (D-Gahanna) by a 58%-42% margin. Only two weeks ago, this race was quite competitive. District 5: Sen. Tom Roberts (D-Trotwood) held off a barrage of GOP spending on behalf of Mike Osgood (R-Dayton) to post a 52%-48% victory. District 7: Former Rep. Robert Schuler (R-Cincinnati) will return to the General Assembly after handily defeating Tony Fischer (D-Cincinnati) by a 71%-29% margin. District 9: Sen. Mark Mallory (D-Cincinnati) was re-elected without opposition. District 11: Rep. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) will move up to the Senate on the strength of a 72%-28% victory over Phillip Barbosa (R-Toledo). District 13: In the tightest Senate contest of all, Sen. Jeffry Armbruster (R-N. Ridgeville) eked out a victory over registered nurses Sue Morano (D-Lorain) by only 526 votes – a winning percentage of 50.3%. District 15: Rep. Ray Miller (D-Columbus) will move up to the Senate after a commanding victory over Lorena Lacey (R-Columbus), 73%-27%. District 17: In the biggest victory of the evening for the GOP, Rep. John Carey (R-Wellston) knocked off incumbent Sen. Mike Shoemaker (D-Bourneville) by a 54%-46% margin. District 19: Sen. Bill Harris (R-Ashland) was easily re-elected in a rematch of a 2000 campaign. He defeated challenger Jack Campbell (D-Loudonville) by a 68%-32% margin. District 21: Sen. C.J. Prentiss (D-Cleveland) cruised to victory over perennial challenger Richard Norris (R-Cleveland) 82%-18%. District 23: Sen. Dan Brady (D-Cleveland) was the victor over Parma School Board member Dick Ress (R-Parma), 67%-33%. District 25: Sen. Eric Fingerhut (D-Cleveland) was the winner over challenger Jackie Huggins (R-Cleveland), 85%-15%. District 27: Sen. Kevin Coughlin (R-Cuyahoga Falls) held off a strong challenge by trial lawyer Tom Bevan (D-Hudson) 53%- 47%. District 29: Rep. Kirk Schuring (R-Canton) will move up to the Senate after defeating family therapist and first-time candidate Jan Schwartz (D-Canton) 58%-42%. District 31: Sen. Jay Hottinger (R-Newark) was re-elected without opposition. District 33: Sen. Robert Hagan (D-Youngstown) won another term by defeating Holly Hanni (R-Youngstown) by a 68%-32% margin. HOUSE GOP MAJORITY GROWS THREE SEATS LARGER FIVE OF SIX CHAMBER CHOICE CANDIDATES WIN Mid term elections traditionally are not positive for the President’s party. This fact, coupled with a weak economy and a less-than-competitive gubernatorial contest, had House Republicans concerned and House Democrats optimistic that Democrats would make a net pick up of anywhere from two to six seats in 2002. House Republicans defied both history and these gloomy forecasts by adding three additional seats Tuesday to their already comfortable majority. The House GOP will enjoy a 62-37 advantage when the 125th General Assembly convenes in January. This three-seat pickup gives the GOP a 25-seat margin, which represents the largest disparity in partisan control of the Ohio House since Democrats had an equal number of seats twenty years ago. Tight contests were not the order of the day, as only two races were decided by a margin as close as six percentage points. Several incumbents thought to be in close contests ended up posting comfortable wins. Among these were Reps. John Boccieri (D-N. Middletown), Jeff Manning (R-N. Ridgeville), Linda Reidelbach (R-Columbus), and Jim Trakas (R-Independence), each of whom won at least 55% of the vote. The two parties split a pair of incumbent v. incumbent matchups that resulted following redistricting, with Rep. Chris Redfern (D-Port Clinton) knocking off Rep. Tom Lendrum (R-Huron) in the 80th House district and Rep. Merle Kearns (R-Springfield) besting Rep. Ron Rhine (D-Springfield) in the 72nd House district. Two other incumbents – both Democrats – tasted defeat. Fayette County Commissioner John Schlichter (R-Bloomigburg) ousted two-term Rep. Joe Sulzer (D-Chillicothe) in what was probably the year’s biggest surprise outcome. Schlichter was a last minute fill-in candidate for the GOP after Rep. Dennis Stapleton (R-Washington C.H.) opted to withdraw rather than take on Sulzer. The other incumbent to lose was not much of a surprise. Rep. Wayne Coates (D-Forest Park) lost a rematch to Jim Raussen (R-Springdale). Coates won a close victory over Raussen in an open seat contest two years ago, but Raussen – aided by changes made to the district in last year’s reapportionment – forced out Coates by a comfortable margin this time. Democrats picked up open seats being vacated by term limited Republican Reps. Amy Salerno (R-Columbus) and Ann Womer Benjamin (R-Aurora), but the GOP was able to hold onto the seat of term limited Rep. Twyla Roman (R-Akron) in a Democrat-leaning district. The GOP also succeeded in elected Republicans to replace outgoing Reps. John Carey (R-Wellston), Rex Damschroder (R-Fremont), and Kirk Schuring (R-Canton), while Democrats retained the seat held for the past eight years by Rep. Bill Ogg (D-Sciotoville). The night’s closest contest was in the 18th House district, open after Rep. Erin Sullivan (D-Strongsville) opted not to run for re-election. Tom Patton brought the seat into the GOP column by scoring an 53%-47% win over Sue Adams (D-Berea). Rep. Derrick Seaver (D-Minster) – the biggest surprise winner of 2000 election cycle – cruised to re-election in a solidly Republican district with 58% of the vote. Republicans won 10 of the 19 open seat contests, including all three of the new districts that were created by redistricting, with Dave Daniels (R-Greenfield) winning the 86th House district, Jimmy Stewart (R-Athens) the 92nd, and Bob Gibbs (R-Lakeville) the 97th. Of the six Chamber Choice candidates running for election to the House, five were successful. Reps. Chuck Blasdel (R-E. Liverpool), Kearns, and Manning and open seat candidates Raussen and Mary Taylor (R-Green) prevailed, while Dave Dobos (R-Columbus) lost. In all, the freshman class of the 125th General Assembly will have 21 members, including 9 Democrats and 12 Republicans. The following is a brief summary of the results in each of the 99 House districts: District 1: Rep. Chuck Blasdel (R-E. Liverpool), a Chamber Choice candidate, will be back for a second term after posting a 57%-43% win over challenger Frank “Doc” Rivelle (D-Wellsville), a retired dentist. District 2: Assistant House Majority Whip Jon Peterson (R-Delaware) defeated 18-year-old college sophomore Andrew Mackey (D-Delaware) 73%-27%. District 3: Freshman Rep. Jim Carmichael (R-Wooster) won another term with a convincing 67%-33% victory over Tim Bradley (D-N. Lawrence). District 4: Rep. John Willamowski (R-Lima) cruised to an easy 77%-23% win over Matt Francis (D-Bluffton) to capture a third term in the House. District 5: Rep. Tim Schaffer (R-Lancaster) essentially was elected to a second term when his Democratic opponent dropped out after winning the primary and no replacement could be found. He was unopposed on the ballot. District 6: I.B.E.W. Local 245 political director Scott McCarty (D-Perrysburg) came up short in his challenge to Rep. Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green). Latta won 68%-32% and will return for a second term in the House. District 7: Rep. Ed Jerse (D-Euclid) was re-elected to a fourth and final term with a convincing 79%-21% win over Steve Pressman (R-S. Euclid). District 8: Appointed Rep. Lance Mason (D-Shaker Hts.), who replaced former Rep. Peter Lawson Jones (D-Shaker Hts.) earlier this year, was unopposed in his bid to secure a full term. District 9: In this heavily Democratic district, freshman Rep. Claudette Woodard (D-Cleveland Hts.) handily beat challenger Cassandra Wyssbrod (R-Cleveland Hts.), 82%-18%. District 10: After defeating four challengers in the May Democratic primary, Rep. Shirley Smith (D-Cleveland) had no opposition in the General Election. District 11: Rep. Annie Key (D-Cleveland) dispatched challenger Tony Kaloger (R-Cleveland), a small businessman, 78%-22% to win a second term. District 12: Rep. Michael DeBose (D-Cleveland) defeated business consultant Dan Trif (R-Maple Hts.), a first-time candidate, 86%-14% to win his first full term in the House. DeBose was appointed to succeed former Rep. John Barnes (D-Cleveland) in February. District 13: Attorney and Lakewood Councilman Mike Skindell (D-Lakewood) won this open seat contest with a 64%-36% win over substitute teacher Ryan Demro (R-Lakewood). District 14: Assistant House Minority Whip Dale Miller (D-Cleveland) won a third term with a commanding 71%-29% victory over challenger Michael Hoag (R-Cleveland). District 15: House Minority Leader Dean DePiero (D-Parma) was unopposed for the second straight time. District 16: Rep. Sally Kilbane (R) won a third term over by defeating small business owner Kevin Kennedy (D-N. Olmsted) 59%-41%. District 17: In what was likely the most expensive House contest of 2002, House Majority Whip Jim Trakas (R-Independence) emerged with a thin 63%-37% win over challenger Blair Melling (D-Solon), an attorney and assistant prosecutor in Solon. District 18: The year’s closest House race was won by salesman Tom Patton (R-Strongsville) with a margin of less than 2,500 votes. He defeated Berea school district employee Sue Adams (D-Berea) 53%-47%. District 19: Ohio and Franklin County Democratic Party Chair Denny White couldn’t deliver a victory for his wife, Mary White (D-Columbus), who lost to Rep. Larry Flowers (R-Canal Winchester) 65%-35%. District 20: Appointed Rep. Jim McGregor (R-Gahanna), who replaced former Rep. David Goodman (R-Bexley) last year, earned election to a full term. He defeated benefits manager Fran Dennis (D-Gahanna) 61%-39%. District 21: Freshman Rep. Linda Reidelbach (R-Columbus), who reportedly trailed in polling for much of the past two months, managed a 55%-45% win over paralegal Lori Tyack (D-Columbus). Tyack mounted an aggressive challenge, and the race was no doubt one of the most expensive House races this year. District 22: Rep. Jim Hughes (R-Columbus) had two challengers this year, and still won re-election easily. He captured 66% of the vote against stock broker and drug reform advocate Ken Schweickart (D-Columbus) and Green Party candidate Alan Amstuz (I-Dublin). District 23: Rep. Larry Wolpert (R-Hilliard) was unopposed in his bid for a second term in this heavily Republican district. District 24: Rep. Geoff Smith (R-Columbus) turned back a challenge from pub owner Pat Byrne (D-Columbus), winning a second term by a 60%-40% margin. District 25: The Democrats scored a pickup in this district, as S.E.I.U lobbyist Dan Stewart (D-Columbus) defeated former Columbus School Board member Dave Dobos (R-Columbus), 55%-45%. With his victory over Chamber Choice candidate Dobos, Stewart will succeed term-limited Rep. Amy Salerno (R-Columbus). District 26: Outgoing Rep. Ray Miller’s (D-Columbus) successor will be Larry Price (D-Columbus), a special assistant to Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman. Price defeated Lionel Jones (R-Columbus) 79%-21%. Miller gave up the seat to run for the Ohio Senate. District 27: Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Columbus) was re-elected 83%-17% over Ohio State University student Stephen Reinhart (R-Columbus). District 28: In a rematch of one of 2000’s closest contests, insurance claims specialist Jim Raussen (R-Springdale) easily knocked off incumbent Rep. Wayne Coates (D-Forest Park) 59%-41%. Two years ago, Coates beat Raussen by just 535 votes to win an open seat contest. Raussen, a Chamber Choice candidate, was one of only two challengers to defeat an incumbent this year. District 29: House Majority Floor Leader Patricia Clancy (R-Cincinnati) won a fourth and final term with a convincing 72%-28% defeat of challenger Danny Kenneweg (D-Cincinnati). District 30: Rep. Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) secured a second term with a 76%-24% victory over retired small business owner Bob Klug (D-Cincinnati. District 31: Two years after waging a hard fought battle to win this seat, Rep. Steve Driehaus (D-Cincinnati) had a relatively easy race for re-election. Driehaus bested North Bend Village Councilwoman Sheryl Ross (R-North Bend) 65%-35%. District 32: Rep. Catherine Barrett (D-Cincinnati) coasted to re-election to a third term, posting a 70%-30% win over University of Cincinnati student Randy O’Hara (R-Cincinnati). District 33: Hamilton County public defender Tyrone Yates (D-Cincinnati) withstood a spirited but uphill battle from financial adviser Sandra Faith Hall (R-Deer Park) to win an open seat race in this heavily Democratic district. Yates won 67%-33%. District 34: Rep. Tom Brinkman (R-Cincinnati) will be back for a second term after scoring a 63%-37% win over Dave Schaff (D-Cincinnati), an assistant to Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune and the president of the Hamilton County Young Democrats. District 35: Freshman Rep. Michelle Schneider (R-Madeira) was unopposed for a second term. District 36: Butler Township Trustee Doug Orange (D-Dayton) made this race uncomfortable for Rep. Arlene Setzer (R-Vandalia), but she won nonetheless. She earned a second term with a 60%-40% win. District 37: Unlike his race two years ago, when he had four General Election opponents, Rep. Jon Husted (R-Kettering) had only one opponent this year. Husted defeated Gabrielle Willamson (D-Dayton), pro bono coordinator for the University of Dayton School of Law, 64%-36%. District 38: Rep. John White (R-Kettering) easily won a second term over attorney Nick Gerren (D-Centerville). He captured 64% of the vote. District 39: Rep. Dixie Allen (D-Dayton) received 77% of the vote in cruising to re-election over challenger Brian Whitaker (R-Dayton), a painter. District 40: Rep. Fred Strahorn (D-Dayton) had no trouble with Martin Arbagi (R-Dayton), a Wright State University history professor. Strahorn defeated Arbagi 72%-28%. District 41: In a rematch of a 2000 race, Rep. Bryan Williams (R-Akron) was elected to a fourth and final term. He defeated challenger Kurt Landefeld (D-Peninsula), an advertising executive, 58%-42%. District 42: Former Summit County Councilman Libert Bozzelli (D-Cuyahoga Falls), a retired union official, and high school teacher Harold Baer (I-Silver Lake) combined for just 44% of the vote in their bids to deny appointed Rep. John Widowfield (R-Cuyahoga Falls) a full term. Widowfield, who replaced former Rep. Kevin Coughlin (R-Cuyahoga Falls) early in 2001, won with 56% of the vote. District 43: Chamber Choice candidate Mary Taylor (R-Green), a CPA and Green councilwoman, overcame a name recognition disadvantage and a district that leans Democrat to score a 54%-46% win over Mike Grimm (D-Tallmadge), a former Summit County Councilman and retired UAW representative. Taylor will succeed term limited Rep. Twyla Roman (R-Akron), keeping the seat in the GOP column. District 44: Rep. Barbara Sykes (D-Akron) was unopposed and will return for a second term. District 45: Freshman Rep. Bob Otterman (D-Akron) had little trouble with attorney Kathy Culver (R-Akron), winning a second term 70%-30%. District 46: In his three previous elections, Rep. Lynn Olman (R-Maumee) never got less than 66% of the vote. 2002 proved to be no exception, as Olman defeated challenger Abbey Mortemore (D-Toledo), community relations coordinator for an organ donation bank, 70%-30%. District 47: Toledo Councilman Peter Ujvagi (D-Toledo) defeated Allen Roy (R-Toledo), an assistant to Toledo Clerk of Courts Maggie Thurber, 68%-32% and will succeed Rep. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo). Fedor vacated the seat to run for the Ohio Senate. District 48: Two opponents, Cathleen Voyles-Baden (R-Toledo) and June Boyd (I-Toledo), combined could only muster 30% of the vote in this heavily Democratic district. As a result, appointed Rep. Edna Brown (D-Toledo), who succeeded former Rep. Jack Ford (D-Toledo) when he was elected mayor, earned a full term in the House after capturing the other 70% of the vote. District 49: Rep. Jeanine Perry (D-Toledo) defeated challenger Joe Lipinski (R-Toledo), a semi-retired business owner, for the third straight time. This year, it was 70%-30%. District 50: When he beat an appointed incumbent to win the seat two years ago, a close race and the presence of a third candidate kept Rep. John Hagan (R-Alliance) from winning a majority, and he was elected with a plurality of the votes. This year, he got a majority of the votes cast in winning a second term. He defeated attorney Martin Olson (D-Uniontown) 57%-43%. District 51: Sen. Scott Oelslager (R-Canton), term limited in the Senate, won a seat in the House with a 70%-30% win over day care center owner Marylyn Scott (D-N. Canton). He will succeed term-limited Rep. Kirk Schuring (R-Canton), who ran for Oelslager’s open Senate seat. District 52: Freshman Rep. Mary Cirelli (D-Canton) won a second term by beating two challengers, Westfield accountant Scott Warner (R-Canton) and former steelworker David Kidd (I-Canton). Cirelli got 53% of the vote. District 53: Two years ago, former Middletown/Monroe School Board member A.C. Mitchell (D-Middletown) got 33% of the vote against Rep. Gary Cates (R-West Chester). Following redistricting in 2001, he decided to take on another incumbent, Rep. Shawn Webster (R-Hamilton). Webster bested him nearly as easily as Cates did, winning a second term 64%-36%. District 54: Rep. Greg Jolivette (R-Hamilton) was re-elected to a third term by defeating perennial candidate Arnold Engel (D-Fairfield) 72%-28%. District 55: Rep. Gary Cates (R-West Chester), Speaker Pro Tempore of the Ohio House, was unopposed for re-election to a fourth and final term. District 56: Appointed Rep. Joe Koziura (D-Lorain) will be back for a full term following an easy 71%-29% win over factory worker Dan Williamson (R-Amherst). District 57: Freshman Rep. Jeff Manning (R-N. Ridgville) became the first Republican to be re-elected from this district in more than 30 years with a comfortable 55%-45% victory over high school teacher Dave Bruening (D-Avon Lake). District 58: Though the circumstances were similar, there was no surprise win – a la Derrick Seaver in 2000 – for 18-year old, recent high school graduate Ken Bailey (D-Norwalk). Huron County Clerk of Courts Kathy Walcher (R-Norwalk) won this open seat contest by defeating Bailey 58%-42%. District 59: Rep. Ken Carano (D-Austintown) cruised to a victory over entrepreneur Paul Alberty (R-Poland), winning a second term 58%-42%. District 60: Rep. Sylvester Patton (D-Youngstown) had a much more difficult time winning the Democratic primary than he did in defeating Bill Sicafuse (R-Struthers) in the General Election. Patton captured 80% of the vote in this heavily Democratic district. District 61: Rep. John Boccieri (D-N. Middletown) won a second term with a 61%-39% victory over Randy Pope (R-Alliance). District 62: John Hawkins (D-Mentor-on-the-Lake), an attorney and Mentor-on-the-Lake councilman, lost 57%-43% to Rep. Jamie Callender (R-Willowick) in 1998. He didn’t do any better this year, as Callender secured a fourth and final term in the House with a 63%-37% win over Hawkins. District 63: Rep. Ron Young (R-Painesville) rebounded from a close 2000 election to score a solid 62%-38% re-election win this year over challenger Tim Cassell (D-Madison), a union carpenter. District 64: Rep. Dan Sferra (D-Warren) won a second term, beating Randy Law (R-Niles) 53%-47% in a race that was much closer than expected. District 65: Attorney and first-time political candidate Sandra Stabile Harwood (D-Niles) will succeed outgoing Rep. Tony Latell (D-Girard) after capturing 65% of the vote against two challengers, Youngstown State University student James Calko (R-Warren) and Werner Lange (I-Newton Falls). District 66: In one of the most Republican districts in the state, Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Loveland) was unopposed for a second term. District 67: In another one of the most Republican districts in the state, Rep. Tom Raga (R-Mason) was also unopposed for a second term. District 68: Portage County Commissioner Kathleen Chandler’s (D-Kent) 55%-45% win over Aurora School Board member Terri Hauenstein (R-Aurora) is a pick up for the Democrats. Chandler replaces outgoing GOP Rep. Ann Womer Benjamin (R-Aurora), who was term limited. District 69: Rep. Chuck Calvert (R-Medina) defeated Brunswick Hills Township Trustee Jack Schira (D-Brunswick) 60%-40% to win a third term. District 70: Rep. Kevin DeWine (R-Fairborn) easily won re-election to a second term over Larry Gordon (D-Xenia), 72%-28%. District 71: After warding off a challenge in the GOP primary in May, Rep. David Evans (R-Newark) was unopposed in the General Election. District 72: In one of two incumbent v. incumbent battles, veteran lawmaker Merle Kearns (R-Springfield) – a Chamber Choice candidate – beat Rep. Ron Rhine (D-Springfield) 57%-43% after a hard fought campaign. The GOP can finally claim victory in a seat long held by former Rep. David Hartley (D-Springfield). District 73: When he defeated a popular Richland County commissioner to win re-election two years ago, Rep. Bill Hartnett (D-Mansfield) effectively secured this politically competitive district. This year, he easily defeated recent Bluffton College graduate Lisa Rathburn (R-Mansfield) 64%-36% to capture a third term. District 74: Assistant House Majority Floor Leader Steve Buehrer (R-Delta) was unchallenged in his bid for a third term. District 75: Rep. Jim Hoops (R-Napoleon) was also unchallenged in his bid for a third term. District 76: In another 2000 election rematch, Rep. Mike Gilb (R-Findlay) scored an easy 69%-31% win over Ken Ludwig (D-Findlay), the Hancock County Democratic Party chairman. District 77: Freshman Rep. Keith Faber's (R-Celina) district was altered substantially with the addition of Preble County and the removal of Miami County and part of Darke County. But the changes didn't alter the district's Republican tilt, and Faber posted a resounding 75%-25% victory Ben Amstutz (D-Celina). District 78: Wunderkind Derrick Seaver (D-Minster), who shocked the statehouse by winning election in this GOP-leaning district in 2000, took the GOP’s best punches this year and still won re-election. With his 58%-42% win over local furniture store owner John Adams (R-Sidney), Seaver has likely secured this seat for the remainder of his term limit allotted time. District 79: When Tipp City Councilwoman Carol McKeever (D-Tipp City) and Rep. Diana Fessler (R-New Carlisle) squared off for the first time two years ago, it was an open seat race, Fessler was making her first run for public office, and Libertarian candidate Bob DeBrosse's candidacy made it a three-way contest. Fessler was elected with a slim majority of the vote. In a rematch this year against McKeever, Fessler did significantly better, posting a solid 69%-31% win. District 80: Rep. Chris Redfern (D-Port Clinton) scored a decisive 56%-44% win over Rep. Tom Lendrum (R-Huron) in this contest pitting two freshmen incumbents. Redfern won both the Erie and Ottawa County portions of the district and will return for a second full term. District 81: Seneca County Commissioner Jeff Wagner (R-Sycamore) defeated Fremont Councilman Jim Melle (D-Fremont) 54%-46% and will succeed term-limited Rep. Rex Damschroder (R-Fremont) in the House. District 82: Rep. Steve Reinhard (R-Bucyrus) earned a second term by collecting 66% of the vote against attorney Steven Chaffin (D-Marion), chairman of the Marion County Democratic Party. District 83: In yet another rematch between 2000 opponents, Rep. Tony Core (R-Rushsylvania) once again defeated Stacy Roberts (D-Bellefontaine). He won 69%-31%. District 84: Former Rep. Chris Widener (R-Springfield) is back after a 63%-37% victory over attorney Natalie Tackett (D-S. Vienna). Widener held this seat for a year in 2000 as an appointed lawmaker. District 85: In an election year that didn’t have too many surprises, the biggest may have been Fayette County Commissioner John Schlichter’s (R-Bloomingburg) 54%-46% win over Rep. Joe Sulzer (D-Chillicothe). Schlichter, who didn’t even become the GOP’s candidate until mid-summer, waged an aggressive battle and a late surge supported by a television ad blitz put him over the top. District 86: The first representative in this new, redistricting-created district will be Highland County Commissioner Dave Daniels (R-Greenfield). After winning a very competitive three-way GOP primary with 42% of the vote, Daniels had a much easier time in the General Election. He scored a 68%-32% win over Southern State Community College professor Bill Horne (I-Hillsboro). District 87: Clyde Evans (R-Rio Grande), a former Rio Grande councilman employed by the University of Rio Grande, followed up his landslide GOP primary win with an impressive 56%-44% victory over Ohio State University Gallia County Extension Agent Fred Deel (D-Vinton). Rep. John Carey (R-Wellstson) was prevented from running for re-election due to term limits. District 88: Freshman Rep. Tom Niehaus (R-New Richmond) had no General Election opposition. District 89: This district – home of legendary former Speaker of the House Vern Riffe – will be represented by someone other than Riffe or term-limited Rep. Bill Ogg (D-Sciotoville) for the first time since the 1950’s. That person is attorney Todd Book (D-McDermott), who prevailed over retired school administrator Harold “Bud” Sayre (R-Portsmouth) 59%-41%. District 90: Rep. Thom Collier (R-Mt. Vernon) coasted to a 67%-33% re-election win over challenger Howard Hoffman (D-Lexington). District 91: With an assist from a new district that no longer contains Athens County – the only county he ever lost in his three previous elections – Speaker of the House Larry Householder (R-Glenford) scored his biggest House win ever. Householder captured 67% of the vote against challenger Brad Gothard (D-Thornville). District 92: The 92nd is a new district created as a result of redistricting, and its new representative is Jimmy Stewart (R-Athens), the Athens city auditor. Stewart won the Meigs, Morgan, and Washington County portions of the district by more than 5,000 votes, more than enough to overcome losing Democrat-leaning Athens County. Overall, he scored a close 58%-42% over York Township Trustee Jim Pancake (D-Nelsonville) after a campaign that got nasty and personal. District 93: Rep. Nancy Hollister (R-Marietta) had little trouble fending off a challenge from former state school board member Bill Moore (D-Woodsfield). Hollister won 59%-41%. District 94: Rep. Jim Aslanides (R-Coshocton) was unopposed in his bid for a second term. District 95: The first foray into elective politics was a successful one for former television weatherman John Domenick (D-Smithfield). After knocking off incumbent Rep. Eileen Krupinski (D-Steubenville) in the Democratic primary in May, he finished the job by beating insurance agent Frank Sentich (R-Richmond) 60%-40% to capture the seat. District 96: In a significantly reshuffled district, Assistant House Minority Leader Charlie Wilson (D-St. Clairsville) won re-election to a fourth and final term in the House. He defeated former New Philadelphia Mayor Greg Erb (R-New Philadelphia) 62%-38%. District 97: Hog farmer and former Ohio Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Gibbs (R-Lakeville) scored a decisive 62%-38% win over attorney Tom Mason (D-Ashland) to win this redistricting-created seat. District 98: Rep. Tim Grendell (R-Chesterland) won a second term in the House with a 72%-28% win over challenger Meg Cacciacarro (D-Middlefield). District 99: After a difficult and close fight to win a full term in 2000, Rep. George Distel (D-Conneaut) had it relatively easy this year. He cruised to a 66%-34% win over Robert Rennie (R-Jefferson).