In today’s special election Ohio’s 8th Congressional District, Kossack Corey Foister faces Republican favorite Warren Davidson and “Green” candidate James Condit Jr. If you are interested in a little background, you can check out Corey’s own introduction at DailyKos, Corey’s profile at the Cincinnnate Enquirer, Corey’s profile at the Dayton Daily News and my take on Freedom Caucus darling Warren Davidson.
You can follow live results at the website of Ohio’s SoS.
The Cincinnati Enquirer is also (sorta) liveblogging the election.
7:15 — Polls will close in 15 minutes. Counting should be pretty quick. There are 558 precincts (same as in the general election) and only one race on the ballot.
7:20 — How low is the turnout? See below:
7:25 — Win or lose, Corey will have a re-match with Warren Davidson in the general election, when Ohio will also be a key battleground for the Presidency and control of the Senate (Strickland vs Portman). If you want Corey to be prepared for that fight, you can send him a contribution via his ActBlue page.
7:30 — Polls are now closing.
7:44 — The first 637 votes are in. Davidson (R) leads Corey 74-22.
7:46 — 3,580 votes in. Davidson (R) leads 65-32.
7:50 — How much of the vote is already in? We don’t know, the SoS website shows 0 precincts reporting. That might mean that the 3,580 votes are absentee ballots.
7:55 — Yes, these were probably the absentee ballots:
ABC22: Husted: 3,576 absentee ballots cast for Tuesday special election
The day before the special election for the Eighth Congressional seat Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted today said 3,576 absentee ballots have been cast.
The seat was vacated by Rep. John Boehner, the Speaker of the House, who stepped down in October.
The winner of tomorrow' special election will serve the remainder of Boehner's term, which concludes at the end of 2016.
7:56 — Now the first precinct is in. Davidson (R) up 65-31.
8:03 — With mostly absentee ballots in, Corey does best in Clark County, where he trails 40-56. He does worst in Miami Count, where Davidson leads 77-20.
8:08 — Four precincts (less than one percent) in, Davidson (R) up 66-31.
8:19 — 3% of precincts in, Davidson (R) up 67-30.
8:33 — More votes are coming in and Corey numbers improve a bit. 15% in, Davidson up 62-34.
8:36 — Reading is hard. With 15% in, Davidson (R) now up 74-23.
8:38 — The floodgates are open, 30% in, 75-22. Davidson wins big on election day.
8:50 — The floodgates seem closed again. There is a large difference between counties. While Preble has 42/42 reporting, Butler (the largest county in the district) has just 46/283.
8:52 — 35% in, 76-22.
8:53 — 48% in, still 76-22.
9:03 — The absentee results will remain the high point. 63% in, Davidson (R) up 77-20. Condit Jr. (G) at 2.
9:07 — Unsurprisingly, the AP has already called the race 20 minutes ago.
9:09 — Corey reacts: www.facebook.com/...
Thank You!
It was an incredible and fun journey, one I thought I would never have the courage to take. It was an honor to be the voice of the voiceless in the Eighth district. It was extremely humbling to receive the support, friendship and kindness of so many people. Please take risks in life and speak out.
I leave you with one of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite people, Conan O'Brien, during his darkest moment. During his final moments as host of The Tonight Show he said something that has stuck with me ever since, be kind and don't let cynicism control the way you live and how you see the world.
It was an honor.
Peace, love & gratitude, Corey Jay Foister
9:12 — Winner Warren Davidson on Facebook:
Results are in! Warren Davidson is the next Congressman for Ohio's 8th District!!!
9:15 — How low was today’s turnout? More than 134,000 people voted in the Republican primary. With 78% reporting, Warren Davidson (R) has less than 18,000 votes.
9:18 — That’s the wrap. Thanks to everybody for following this liveblog and supporting Corey in this election. Remember, there will be a rematch in November. Latest numbers: 80% in, 77-21.