CLEVELAND — Ohio had 15 United States House of Representatives seats up for grabs on Election Day, but other than a few close races, the heavy favorites pretty much held serve. Northeast Ohio was no exception.
In the 4th Congressional District which includes Ashland and Richland counties, Republican House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan secured a 10th term, beating businesswoman Tamie Wilson for the second straight time. Up in Cuyahoga County, Rep. Shontel Brown easily won reelection in the Cleveland-centric 13th District over former Cleveland Heights Mayor Alan Rapoport.
The 14th District includes most of Portage County as well as all of Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, and Trumbull counties. Republican Rep. Dave Joyce won a 12th consecutive term, and while in the past he had faced somewhat significant competition in years past, this time he defeated Brian Kenderes, who will serve jail time after registering to vote using a false Mentor address.
The 5th District includes all of Lorain County, and Republican Rep. Bob Latta won a 10th term over Keith Mundy. In the 12th District, which includes portions of Holmes and Tuscarawas counties, Rep. Troy Balderson defeated U.S. Navy veteran Jerrad Christian.
Finally, Republican Rep. Michael Rulli beat U.S. Air Force veteran Michael Kripchak in the 6th District, which includes all of Carroll County as well as parts of Stark and Tuscarawas counties. It was a rematch of June's special election to replace the outgoing Bill Johnson.
These races were in addition to the three closer battles across Northeast Ohio. While the 9th and 13th Districts remain too close to call, Republican Rep. Max Miller won reelection in the 7th District.
