East Liverpool Review – By Deanne Johnson
LISBON — As expected, U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, congressman from the 6th District, handily won the primary race over Republican political newcomer Kenneth Morgan III.
The fact that it was unusual election with early in-person voting, an election day postponed by COVID-19 and then only absentee voting for the final stretch of the election was not lost on Johnson, who issued a press statement after the results came in.
“This election has been unlike any other in Ohio’s history,” Johnson said. “And, while it has been a challenge, I’m pleased that Ohioans had a way to safely have their voices heard. I’m extremely honored to again be chosen by Republicans in eastern and southeastern Ohio to be the party’s nominee to represent Ohio’s 6th Congressional District.”
Johnson said he will leave his campaign team to the concerns of his bid to retain his seat in the upcoming November general election, while he is more focused right now on the immediate work of finding bipartisan solutions to address the coronavirus pandemic and to address the economic needs of Ohio and our country.
“I’m proud to have offered expanded telehealth solutions as part of what Congress has done already — in fact, telehealth, remote workplaces, and distance learning requirements for our children have highlighted just how urgent it is that we bridge the rural-urban digital divide,” Johnson said. “I’ll continue working to ensure the hardworking people in my district have the tools resources they need to make an economic comeback in eastern and southeastern Ohio.”
In Columbiana County, Johnson took 88.3 percent of the vote and did well in every county throughout the Ohio 6th District. Johnson took 88.6 percent of the vote in Belmont County, 84.5 percent in Athens, 82.7 percent in Carroll, 87.5 in Gallia, 88.5 in Guernsey, 88.2 in Harrison, 88.7 percent in Jefferson, 84.8 in Lawrence, 88.9 in Mahoning, 84.7 in Meigs, 87.7 in Monroe, 86.1 in Muskingum, 89.0 in Noble, 92.2 in Scioto, 83.9 in Tuscarawas and 86.5 in Washington County. As of 9:45 p.m., Jackson County was the only county which had not posted results on Tuesday night.
In the general election, Johnson will face Shawna Roberts, a Democrat from Belmont County, who ran unopposed in the primary. Johnson has held the 6th Congressional seat since Jan. 3, 2011.