In a contest characterized as too close to call, unofficial results released early today indicate Republican Steve Stivers has opened a lead in the race for the Fifteenth Congressional seat vacated by longtime Congresswoman Deborah Pryce. If Stivers wins, Republicans will have held on to three central Ohio congressional seats. Unofficial results completed early today show Fifteenth District GOP candidate Steve Stivers eked out a victory over Democrat Mary Jo Kilroy.
Stivers piled up large margins of victory in Union and Madison Counties, but the margin in Franklin county remains very close and the county still has absentee and provisional ballots left to be counted. If the count stands, Stivers will replace retiring representative Deborah Pryce. In other races Congressman Pat Tiberi won reelection and Republican Steve Austria captured the seat being vacated by retiring Congressman Dave Hobson.