MOUNT VERNON — Knox County commissioner Republican candidates Drenda Keesee and Barry Lester won Tuesday’s primary, according to Knox County Board of Election’s final, unofficial results.
Keesee will run unopposed in the November general election pending a possible write-in candidate.
The deadline for write-in candidates is 72 days before the general election, Knox County Board of Elections Director Jim Blazer said.
Lester will run against Democratic challenger Chuck Rogers.
Keesee secured 39% of the vote, according to Knox County Board of Election final, unofficial results. Incumbent Thom Collier secured 27% while Bob Phillips secured 33% of the votes.
For the Jan. 2 term, Lester grabbed 27% of the vote while Scott Zimmerman secured 26%; Jennifer Snow had 23%; Jeff Harmer had 22%. A recount is undetermined at this time, Blazer said, noting there are still provisional ballots to be counted.
“I’m grateful to Knox County,” Keesee said.
Keesee said tonight’s vote showed the county doesn’t want industrial solar farms in their community. Moving forward, Keesee plans on meeting with faith leaders in the community.
Lester said moving forward is about reinforcing his message during the campaign, noting he had “great support from all the townships, friends and family,” Lester said.
Knox Pages hosted a Q&A for commissioner candidates Feb. 20 at the Woodward Opera House. Click here to watch it.
This independent, local reporting provided by our Report for America Corps members is brought to you in part by the generous support of the Knox County Foundation and Kokosing.