Courtney Combs may have run into some bad luck in his 13th campaign when he unofficially finished only seven votes behind T.C. Rogers of West Chester in the Butler County Commission Republican primary March 6, 2012. Prior to the primary, Combs had won 12th straight campaigns. In photo, Combs votes on the morning of Super Tuesday at Ross Middle School. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.
Only one thing is certain about the Butler County Commission Republican primary, the incumbent Chuck Furmon is due to lose his seat that he held since 1996.
What is unclear is if the unofficial results, which have political newcomer and small business owner T.C. Rogers of West Chester Township on top with 11,442 votes or 35.58 percent of the vote, will hold up (results as of 1 a.m. Wednesday).
The other candidate in the race, former Butler County Commissioner and State Rep. Courtney Combs, finished only seven votes behind (11,435 votes) Rogers.
According to The Enquirer, the close finish automatically triggers a recount due to Ohio law.
T.C. Rogers finished with only seven more votes than unofficial runner-up Courtney Combs in the Butler County Commission Republican primary March 6, 2012. In photo, Roger speaks at a voter forum in February. Photo taken by Joseph Fuqua II.
According to the Pulse Journal, Butler County Board of Elections Director Jocelyn Bucaro said a recount would not be ordered until approximately 368 absentee ballots and 400 provisional have been counted at a later date.
Rogers was told by colleagues, who have worked on other campaigns, that the process could take 10 days.
“I would rather be seven up then seven down,” Rogers said late Tuesday night.
“I was up against two long-time politicians, so I knew I had a hill to climb.”
Unlike Rogers, who was running for the first time, today’s election marked the 13th campaign for Combs.
“I have won 12 in row. I am confident but not overconfident, so we will see if 13 is a good number for me,” Combs said on Tuesday morning after voting at Ross Middle School.
“This is a totally different race for me. I have never been in a contested primary.”
Combs has to give up his state seat for the 54th District after five terms in office. He was a commissioner for 17 years before heading to the state Capitol in 2004.
Whoever comes out on top after the recount, they will face Democrat Jodi Billerman of Liberty Township and Libertarian Daryl R. Olthaus in November.
Romney wins Ohio: The Enquirer reported at 12:40 a.m. Wednesday that Mitt Romney won Ohio on Super Tuesday. With 99 percent of the precincts reporting, Romney had 38 percent of the vote (451,972 votes) and Rick Santorum had 37 percent of the vote (439,932 votes. Newt Gingrich was third with 15 percent and Ron Paul was fourth with 9 percent. More on the story visit Cincinnati.com.
Swain takes Clerk of Courts primary: Incumbent Mary Swain has defeated former deputy clerk Jeff Wyrick in the county clerks race. Swain finished with 60.8 percent of the vote, while Wyrick finished with 39 percent. In January of 2011, Swain narrowly defeated Wyrick in a vote administered by the Butler County Republican Party. Swain took over the position left vacant by Cindy Carpenter, who was appointed as a county commissioner.
Mandel cruises to primary win: Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel easily won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate. He will have to face Democrat Sherrod Brown in November. A recent poll released by Quinnipiac University, showed that Brown leads Mandel 48 percent to 35 percent.
Boehner defeats Lewis by wide margin: The most convincing Super Tuesday win may have been House Speaker John Boehner, who received 83.9 percent of the vote in the 8th Congressional District Republican primary. His opponent, David Lewis, had 16.1 percent of the vote.
“The House is committed to breaking down barriers to job growth, excessive regulations, higher taxes, big government and out-of-control government spending in Ohio and across the country,” Boehner stated in response to his victory in the 8th District. “I am honored that the 8th District Republicans want me to continue that fight on their behalf in Washington.”
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