COLUMBUS, Ohio — GOP voters took to the polls today for a special primary election. 12 Republicans were striving to win the nomination to fill the seat vacated by former Congressman Steve Stivers. Stivers stepped down from the 15th Congressional seat to head Ohio’s Chamber of Commerce earlier this year.
Mike Carey took the race and will be the Republican nominee.
The primary race has been highly contested. One of the most controversial candidates running was Jeff LaRe. The Guardian released a special investigative report on LaRe’s connection to the House Bill 6 scandal two weeks ago.
Brian Stewart, the former Pickaway County Commissioner and member of the 78th House District withdrew his name from the race early on. Stewart cited financial hardship as the reason behind ending his bid for the party’s nomination.
Mike Carey, a Trump-endorsed, coal lobbyist, quickly rose to the front of the pack by raising more campaign funds than any other candidate. Carey is a die-hard Trump conservative looking to continue the former President’s agenda.
State Senator Bob Peterson, Sabina, rounded out the top tier of prospective candidates. Peterson is a well-known conservative from Washington Court House and has been involved in politics for a lengthy amount of time, rising from county commissioner.
Carey will face off democrat Allison Russo. Russo is a State Representative who was raised in a small, rural town in a working-class family by a single mom. She is a mother, wife of a combat veteran, and a public health professional who has helped veterans, families, and seniors get affordable healthcare, her website reads.