KNOX COUNTY — Voters in Knox County and surrounding areas weighed in on several state legislative races during Tuesday’s May 5 primary election.
Results are based on final, unofficial tallies from the Delaware, Knox, Holmes and Coshocton County Boards of Elections.
Ohio Senate District 19
Ryan Rivers won the Republican primary for the 19th senate district, according to unofficial results from the Ohio Secretary of State.
Rivers received 51.84% of the vote district-wide:
- Ryan Rivers: 18,266 votes (51.84%)
- Beth Lear: 16,970 votes (48.16%)
The 19th District includes Delaware, Knox, Holmes and Coshocton counties.
Rivers carried all four counties, building his largest margins in Holmes and Coshocton counties.
Delaware County unofficial results:
- Beth Lear: 16,970 votes (48.2%)
- Ryan Rivers: 18,266 votes (51.8%)
Knox County unofficial results:
- Beth Lear: 3,382 votes (48.15%)
- Ryan Rivers: 3,642 votes (51.85%)
Holmes County unofficial results:
- Beth Lear: 783 votes (34.37%)
- Ryan Rivers: 1,495 votes (65.63%)
Coshocton County unofficial results:
- Beth Lear: 1,556 votes (35.17%)
- Ryan Rivers: 2,868 votes (64.83%)
Winner: Rivers
Rivers now faces Democrat Janet Wagner, who was unopposed in the primary.
Rivers has served as Orange Township trustee in Delaware County and is a past president of The Ohio Township Association. He previously told Knox Pages he plans to work on tax reform, energy generation and investing in education.
Rivers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Ohio House District 61
The 61st District, covering eastern Delaware County and western Knox County, featured a Republican primary to replace Rep. Beth Lear, who is running for state Senate.
Shawn Stevens won the Republican primary, according to unofficial results from the Ohio Secretary of State.
- Shawn Stevens: 7,977 votes (57.10%)
- Andrew O. Brenner: 5,994 votes (42.90%)
Unofficial results by county show:
Delaware County:
- Andrew O. Brenner: 4,897 votes (43.65%)
- Shawn Stevens: 6,322 votes (56.35%)
Knox County:
- Andrew O. Brenner: 1,097 votes (39.86%)
- Shawn Stevens: 1,655 votes (60.14%)
Winner: Stevens
Stevens will now face Democrat Vince McGrail in November, who was unopposed in the primary.
Stevens served on the Delaware County Board of Elections for 10 years, during which he served as president of the Ohio Association of Election Officials. He has worked to elect conservative local, statewide, and national GOP candidates since moving to Delaware County in 2005.
“Tonight the Republican voters of Knox and Delaware counties chose a new direction in leadership at the Statehouse,” Stevens told Delaware Source after the results posted.
“I am so humbled by the support for my candidacy. I will work hard to carry the Republican message of lowering taxes and cutting waste.
“On to the November general election.”