By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Wood County elected only Republicans in contested races Tuesday.
The victorious and the defeated gathered in downtown Bowling Green as the results rolled in – separated by the brick wall between Mr. Spots and Howard’s. The mood among the Democrats at Howard’s was subdued and disbelieving. The atmosphere among the Republicans at Mr. Spots was joyous and confident.
After victory speeches by the Republicans, the Northern Wood County Republican Party Chairman Aram Ohanian told the party faithful as they left, “you can wave at Howard’s where the Democrats are.”
There were no tight races. Theresa Gavarone solidly beat Kelly Wicks for the state representative seat. Dr. Ted Bowlus unseated Wood County Commissioner Joel Kuhlman – meaning for the first time in several decades the three commissioners will all be Republicans. Matt Reger won the judge seat, Mark Wasylyshyn was re-elected as sheriff, Craig LaHote was returned as county commissioner, and Jane Spoerl won handily as county treasurer.
The only Democrat to win was Julie Baumgardner who ran uncontested for the county recorder’s seat.
Wood County voters also re-elected Republicans Bob Latta to the House of Representatives, Randy Gardner to the Ohio Senate, and swung their weight for Rob Portman in the U.S. Senate, and Donald Trump in the White House.
“What a big night,” Latta said. “I saw candidates work 110 percent. It paid massive dividends here.”
In particular he praised Gavarone. “She gave everything of herself and the results tonight prove it,” Latta said, as Fox News was broadcasting election results on the big TV screen behind him.
The most bitter fight was won by Gavarone, who took the race with 59 percent of the vote. She credited hard work for her victory. “I had so much support. We knocked on over 32,000 doors since Aug. 11,” she said.
“I’m so honored the people of Wood County have put their faith in me, and I can’t wait to go work for them,” she said.
Next door at Howard’s, her opponent, Kelly Wicks had left the gathering as the results were coming in. His campaign manager Stu Adams said the loss was part of the trauma caused by Trump.
“I think this has to do more with the Trump movement being an epidemic,” Adams said.
“We saw amazing Democratic candidates” lose by large margins, “and that’s unfortunate,” he said.
“A lot of people in rural Wood County and rural Ohio are very frustrated with the political system,” Adams said.
Back on the Mr. Spots side of the wall, State Senator Randy Gardner cautioned his fellow winners to understand the weight of their victories.
“With big margins come even bigger obligations and responsibilities to serve the public,” Gardner said.
Wasylyshyn said his office will continue to serve the public as it has – which clearly resonates with the local citizens. “I think the voters have appreciated the direction the office is headed,” he said.
Reger credited the Republican sweep of county offices to party chairman Mike Marsh for finding the right candidates for each position.
“There is always an effort to find good candidates who can do a good job,” Reger said. And this crop of candidates worked hard to prove themselves to voters.
“When I decided to run I decided I wanted to win,” said Spoerl. “I tried to get my name out there. They know me as a banker. They trust me.”
LaHote felt that trust from voters as well. “I guess I resonated with the voters. Hopefully my experience made the difference and voters responded to that.”
LaHote will be joined in the commissioners office by Bowlus, who credited his victory to communicating with voters. “I’ve put a lot of effort in to communicate with people and attend meetings,” he said. “Communication was the key.” Bowlus said his work now begins to get to know leaders of cities and villages around the county.
The unofficial vote totals in contested county races were:
3rd Ohio House District
- Theresa Gavarone: 35,025
- Kelly Wicks: 24,289
Judge of Wood County Common Pleas
- Steve Long: 17,999
- Matthew L. Reger: 27,833
Wood County Commissioner
- Edward A. Kolanko: 24,380
- Craig LaHote: 32,989
Wood County Commissioner
- Ted Bowlus: 30,274
- Joel M. Kuhlman: 27,340
Wood County Sheriff
- Ruth J. Babel-Smith: 21,114
- Mark Wasylyshyn: 39,051
Wood County Treasurer
- Jason Hartigan: 22,006
- Jane A. Spoerl: 34,518
Following is a list of how Wood County voters cast their ballots on national or state races:
President
- Hillary Clinton: 26,440
- Donald J. Trump: 31,734
U.S. Senate
- Joseph R. DeMare: 1,364
- Rob Portman: 36,746
- Ted Strickland: 21,594
5th Congressional District
- Bob Latta: 39,186
- James Neu Jr: 21,086
2nd Ohio Senate District
- Randy Gardner: 40,416
- Kirk W. Halliday: 19,174
