Photo: twitter.com/mathewsforohio
Adam Mathews (left) is the presumed winner of the race to become the state representative for Ohio's 56th district.
Early poll numbers indicate that Adam Mathews has been elected as state representative for Ohio's 56th district, defeating Joy Bennett, according to data from the New York Times. As of 11:15 p.m., Mathews has more than 60% of the votes and Bennett has more than 40%, with at least 95% of the votes in. Results are preliminary until certified in about two weeks.
Mathews, a Republican, is the vice-mayor of Lebanon. He did not answer CityBeat's repeated questions about his campaign positions.
Bennett, a Democrat, is a marketing and communications strategist who led a public fight against the city of Mason as the local council attempted implement a total abortion ban. The measure initially passed in fall of 2021 but was reversed a short time later once new council members were elected.
In response to CityBeat's candidate questions, Bennett highlighted LGBTQIA+ rights, abortion and bodily autonomy, and healthcare as centerpieces of her campaign.
This year’s midterm elections followed a weird special election that was required after the state refused to draw new voting maps. A Republican-led commission redrew the boundaries of Ohio's House districts earlier this year in an ongoing, dramatic redistricting battle. Many of the ensuing boundary maps repeatedly were rejected by the Ohio Supreme Court as being unconstitutional for unfairly favoring Republicans.
Though the Ohio Supreme Court deemed the maps unconstitutional, a federal court eventually declared that Ohio must use them for August's special election and the Nov. 8 midterms due to timing, but the state is required to pass fairer maps before the 2024 election. However, the ramifications of voting within the current redrawn – and, many say, unfair – boundaries in districts throughout the state will affect elections and priorities for years to come.
All Ohio election results are preliminary until certified by the Board of Elections. CityBeat uses polling numbers that have been reported first-hand by the Associated Press, which is standard for most newsrooms. For more election results and information, visit Ohio's secretary of state website.
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