ASHLAND — A first-time political candidate from Ashland is heading to Columbus.
Melanie Miller, the Republican pageant queen and director of Ashland Pregnancy Care Center, snagged 70.23% of the votes across the newly drawn Ohio House District 67 on Tuesday, according to final unofficial results from the Ohio Secretary of State’s website.
“We’re so blessed, so grateful for the people from Ashland and Medina counties,” Miller said, straining her voice to be heard amidst the raucous crowd that gathered at the Ashland County Republican Headquarters to celebrate.
Her Democratic opponent, Drew Burge, earned a total of 13,181 votes — or 29.77%.
State House District 67 includes all of Ashland County and part of Medina County. The race for the new seat became crowded early on, with five Republicans and only one Democrat filing for petitions.
The contentious redistricting process delayed the primary election for the state’s central committees and state legislative nominees until Aug. 2. By then, the pool narrowed to three Republicans and one Democrat, with Miller earning 62% of the district’s votes.
The political newcomer said she’s excited to get started, listing issues such as infrastructure, public safety, abortion and workforce development as priorities as she heads down to Columbus.
She said infrastructure was top-of-mind for voters heading into the November election. Miller said she hopes to leverage state money for communities across district 67.
She also said constituents can count on her to be their voice when it comes to funding law enforcement to better equip them to do their jobs.
“And it goes without saying, the life issue is of utmost importance to me. So of course I’m going to continue being a champion for that issue and for families,” she said.
As the director of a pregnancy center that does not provide abortions — a job she plans to hold as state representative — she has stood as a pro-life advocate, earning her an endorsement from Ohio Right to Life.
