Updated 10:52 p.m..
HILLSBORO, Ohio — Republican Brad Roades won election as Highland County commissioner Tuesday, defeating Democrat Howard Zody 77.7% (8,193 votes) to 22.3% (2,357 votes), according to unofficial results from the Highland County Board of Elections, with all 31 of the county’s precincts counted.
In statewide and federal races, unofficial results from the Ohio Secretary of State showed just 9 of the county’s 31 precincts reporting. Republican Vivek Ramaswamy led Highland County for governor with 70.4% (7,795 votes) to Democrat Amy Acton’s 25.2% (2,789 votes) and Libertarian Don Kissick’s 4.4% (490 votes). Statewide, Acton led with 50.4%, with 7,298 of 8,834 precincts reporting, and the Scioto Valley Guardian has not projected a winner.
Republican Jon Husted led the county’s U.S. Senate vote with 69.5% (7,706 votes) to Democrat Sherrod Brown’s 24.1% (2,671 votes), Libertarian William Redpath’s 4.1% (452 votes) and independent Greg Levy’s 2.4% (262 votes). Statewide, Brown led with 48.1%, and the Guardian has not projected a winner.
Republicans led Highland County in every other statewide race. Keith Faber led for attorney general, 76.4% (8,416 votes) to Democrat John Kulewicz’s 23.6% (2,603 votes); statewide, Faber led with 51.7%.
Frank LaRose led for auditor of state, 76.3% (8,424 votes) to Democrat Annette Blackwell’s 23.7% (2,610 votes), with LaRose also leading statewide, 52.8%. Robert Sprague led for secretary of state, 73.1% (8,076 votes) to Democrat Allison Russo’s 23.8% (2,627 votes) and Libertarian Tom Pruss’s 3.1% (338 votes); statewide, Sprague led with 48.8%.
Jay Edwards led for treasurer of state, 75.6% (8,227 votes) to Democrat Seth Walsh’s 24.4% (2,654 votes), with Edwards also leading statewide, 51.4%. None of those statewide races has been projected.
On the Ohio Supreme Court, Republican Daniel Hawkins led the county 75.9% (8,307 votes) to Democrat Marilyn Zayas’ 24.1% (2,644 votes), while statewide Hawkins led with 51.0%. Republican Colleen O’Donnell led the county 75.5% (8,291 votes) to Democrat Jennifer Brunner’s 24.5% (2,693 votes), with O’Donnell leading statewide at 50.6%. Neither race has been projected.
In the U.S. House District 15 race, Republican Mike Carey led Highland County with 74.1% (8,196 votes) to Democrat Don Leonard’s 22.9% (2,528 votes) and Libertarian Brennan Barrington’s 3.0% (332 votes). District-wide, though, Leonard led with 50.3%, with 1,009 of 1,180 precincts reporting, and no winner has been projected.
The Guardian did project winners in three other down-ballot races. No Highland County votes had yet been counted in the 4th District Court of Appeals race, but district-wide the Guardian projects Republican Jayme Fountain defeats Democrat Todd Grace, based on a 22-point margin with 534 of 568 precincts reporting.
Republican Shane Wilkin led the county’s Ohio Senate District 17 race, 74.6% (8,038 votes) to Democrat Brian Deer’s 25.4% (2,731 votes); the Guardian projects Wilkin wins the district, based on a 25.9-point margin with 326 of 355 precincts reporting.
Republican Bob Peterson led the county’s Ohio House District 91 race, 75.3% (8,252 votes) to Democrat Amy Wright’s 24.7% (2,703 votes); the Guardian projects Peterson wins the district, based on a 32.5-point margin with 121 of 143 precincts reporting.
Highland County voters backed State Issue 3, requiring photo identification to vote, 82.2% (8,757 votes) to 17.8% (1,892 votes). The Guardian projects Issue 3 passes statewide, based on a 25.6-point margin with 7,298 of 8,834 precincts reporting.
In local races decided by the Highland County Board of Elections, with all 31 precincts counted, John W. Judkins won the Court of Common Pleas general division judgeship unopposed, 100% (7,776 votes), and Denny Kirk won the juvenile and probate division judgeship unopposed, 100% (7,845 votes). Alex J. Butler was elected county auditor unopposed, 100% (8,891 votes).
East Clinton Local School District voters rejected a 1.25% income tax levy, 68.0% (278 votes) to 32.0% (131 votes), across the district’s three precincts. In Highland County’s single precinct for the Miami Trace Local School District’s proposed 2.2-mill, five-year levy, both votes cast were against it.
Brushcreek Township voters approved an additional 2-mill, five-year cemetery levy, 58.4% (244 votes) to 41.6% (174 votes). Marshall Township voters approved a 0.5-mill, five-year cemetery levy renewal, 56.0% (204 votes) to 44.0% (160 votes), and New Market Township voters approved a 0.5-mill, five-year cemetery levy renewal, 53.9% (378 votes) to 46.1% (323 votes).
A liquor option allowing Sunday alcohol sales at HNW FOE Aerie 161 in Hillsboro passed, 53.5% (152 votes) to 46.5% (132 votes).
The Highland County Board of Elections’ unofficial report, posted at 10:02 p.m. Tuesday, showed 11,230 ballots cast of 27,110 registered voters, a turnout of 41.4%, with all 31 precincts counted for local races. Separately, unofficial results from the Ohio Secretary of State showed 11,091 ballots cast with 9 of 31 precincts reporting in statewide and federal races, with 11 outstanding absentee ballots and no outstanding provisional ballots.
Full, county-by-county results are available on the Scioto Valley Guardian’s live election results map at https://sciotovalleyguardian.com/election-results-2026/.
Results are unofficial until certified by the Ohio Secretary of State. Source: Ohio Secretary of State election night reporting. See the live map: https://sciotovalleyguardian.com/election-results-2026/
