Michael Rulli Wins Ohio Special Election for 6th Congressional District by Narrow Margin to Finish Bill Johnson’s Term

Jun 12, 2024, 01:15 AM

Republican Michael Rulli has won the special election for Ohio's 6th Congressional District, defeating Democrat Michael Kripchak to finish Bill Johnson’s term. The race, which was much closer than expected, saw Rulli winning by a narrow margin of 4.4 points with 65% of the vote counted. This district, which former President Trump won by 63 points in 2020 and is a Trump +30 district, was expected to be a stronghold for the GOP. However, the results indicate a significant shift, as Rulli only managed to secure a 28-point lead in Noble County, a county Trump had won by a large margin. The low voter turnout in the district, with Rulli receiving just 12% of Trump's 2020 vote total in Harrison County, and Kripchak getting 22% of Biden's 2020 vote total, further highlights the unexpected competitiveness of the race. Bill Johnson had previously won this seat by 35 points in 2022. Rulli's victory will help the GOP expand its narrow majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.