CIRCLEVILLE, OH — Results are finalized for the 2026 Primary Election, painting a clear picture of the November landscape for Pickaway County and the State of Ohio. With 44 of 44 precincts reporting, the night was defined by high-profile Republican victories and a solidified Democratic ticket.
In Pickaway County, 23.06% of registered voters turned out, with Republican ballots outnumbering Democratic ones by nearly 3-to-1.
State Representative: Stewart Holds the 12th District
Incumbent Brian Stewart (R) successfully defended his seat against challenger Patty Hamilton in a hard-fought Republican primary. Stewart secured his nomination by winning all three counties in the district:
Pickaway County: Stewart won 3,371 to 2,752
Madison County: Stewart won 2,421 to 1560
Franklin County: Stewart leads 802 to 331
Stewart will face Democrat Liam N. Strausbaugh in November, who ran unopposed in today’s primary.
The Race for Governor: Ramaswamy vs. Acton
The battle to succeed the Governor’s office is officially set. Vivek Ramaswamy dominated the Republican primary in Pickaway County with 75.97% of the vote. His running mate, Robert A. McColley, will join him on the ticket as they look toward a general election showdown.
They will face the Democratic duo of Amy Acton and David Pepper, who swept the Democratic primary with 100% of the local vote.
Statewide and Federal Contests
Voters also weighed in on several key positions that will appear on the November ballot:
Federal Races
- U.S. Senate: Incumbent Sherrod Brown easily secured the Democratic nomination with nearly 90% of the local vote. He will face Republican Jon Husted, who ran unopposed on the GOP side.
- Congress (15th District): Republican incumbent Mike Carey defeated Samuel Ronan with 86.51% of the vote. On the Democratic side, Adam C. Miller (56.06%) beat out Don Leonard to secure the nomination.
State Executive & Judicial
- Attorney General: John J. Kulewicz won the Democratic nomination in Pickaway (57.11%), while Keith Faber went unchallenged for the Republicans.
- Secretary of State: Democrat Allison Russo saw a strong local showing with 76.80%, setting up a match against Republican Robert Sprague, who defeated Marcell Strbich with 76.45%.
- Treasurer: Republican Jay Edwards took 64.57% of the vote over Kristina Roegner. He will face Democrat Seth Walsh.
- Supreme Court: In a crowded GOP field for the 1-2-27 term, Colleen O’Donnell led with 34.91%.
Local Pickaway County Results
Most county-level Republican incumbents ran unopposed, effectively securing their positions for the next term:
- County Commissioner: Jay H. Wippel
- County Auditor: Brad Washburn
- Court of Common Pleas: Shelly R. Harsha (Democrat)
Key Issues and Levies
- Senior Citizens Services: A critical additional tax levy for seniors passed by a slim margin (4,420 to 4,280).
- Perry Township Levy: An additional tax levy for unincorporated Perry Township was defeated (52.58% against).
- Liquor Options: South Bloomfield voters gave a resounding “Yes” to Sunday sales at La Matraca (84.11%), while Ashville-East narrowly rejected a similar option for Kelli Jo’s.
Note: These results remain unofficial until the formal certification by the Board of Elections. The General Election is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
