ASHLAND — Melanie Miller is headed back to the Ohio House for a third term representing the 67th District.
The 40-year-old Republican candidate defeated Democratic challenger Heather Sample in Tuesday’s election, according to final, unofficial results from Ashland and Medina counties.
Combined, unofficial results showed Miller receiving 30,628 votes (63.90 percent) to Sample’s 17,300 (36.10 percent).
The Ashland County Board of Elections sent its final, unofficial results at 9:09 p.m. Tuesday.
The 67th House District includes all of Ashland County and parts of western Medina County.
Miller thanked voters who participated in the election and those who supported her campaign.
“First of all, I want to thank everybody who took the time to get out and to vote and to make their voices heard,” Miller said. “Elections are a privilege for us to be able to exercise that right, and so I want to thank everybody who took the time to vote.”
She also shared her gratitude to those who supported her reelection campaign.
“I especially want to thank all the people who believe in me and have voted for me to be their state representative for a third term,” Miller said. “I’m honored to be re-elected, and I look forward to contributing to work for the people of the 67th House district.”
Sample thanks her supporters
Sample, 48, said she is thankful for all the support and proud of her team’s efforts.
“I want to first thank my family and friends and every single person who supported me throughout this journey,” Sample said. “I also think that we have a lot to be proud of that we didn’t win tonight, we still made a difference in showing this constituency that they deserve leadership that shows up and doesn’t disappear after Election Day.”
She also plans to continue to working toward the benefit of the county in any way possible.
“I also look forward to continuing to show up for this county in any capacity I can,” Sample said. “I also feel it’s important to extend my willingness to work with our state representative elect on behalf of this District and our shared belief of a brighter future for all of us.
“I’m not giving up and no one else in this county should that believes in something better.”
