DELAWARE COUNTY — Voters in Delaware County and surrounding areas weighed in on several state legislative races during Tuesday’s May 5 primary election.
Ryan Rivers won the Republican primary for Ohio Senate District 19, while Shawn Stevens captured the GOP nomination in Ohio House District 61.
In Ohio House District 60, incumbent Brian Lorenz won the Republican primary and will face Democrat Shelby Kimball, who also secured her party’s primary nomination.
Matthew George secured the Republican nomination for the 5th District Court of Appeals, a multi-county race that includes Delaware County.
Rebecca Nourse also won a contested and controversial Republican primary for State Central Committee in District 19.
Results are based on final, unofficial tallies from the Delaware, Knox, Holmes and Coshocton County Boards of Elections, as well as district-wide totals from the Ohio Secretary of State.
Republican State Central Committee (District 19 – woman)
Rebecca Nourse won the Republican primary for State Central Committee in District 19, according to unofficial results from the Ohio Secretary of State.
The position is part of the party’s governing body, which helps set direction, endorse candidates and influence party strategy at the state level.
- Rebecca Nourse: 10,125 votes (45.46%)
- Andrea Dalton: 5,313 votes (23.85%)
- Janine Baker: 4,120 votes (18.50%)
- Cathi Nelson: 2,715 votes (12.19%)
The district includes Delaware, Knox, Holmes and Coshocton counties.
The race drew local attention in the weeks leading up to the election after a dispute over whether Nourse should appear on the ballot.
Former Delaware County Board of Elections member Melanie Leneghan, who initially also ran for the seat, participated in a vote to remove Nourse over petition errors, prompting questions about a potential conflict of interest.
The case was ultimately sent to the Ohio Secretary of State, who directed the board to reconsider without Leneghan’s participation, and the board later certified Nourse to the ballot.
Leneghan was recently removed from the Board of Elections and disqualified from the State Central Committee race after the Ohio Supreme Court upheld a ruling that she did not meet residency requirements, meaning any votes cast for her were not counted.
The race also featured three candidates — Janine Baker, Andrea Dalton and Cathi Nelson — recruited by Leneghan to enter the contest and “split the anti-Leneghan vote.”
Leneghan publicly supported those candidates ahead of the primary, creating a split field that Nourse ultimately defeated.
Ohio Senate District 19
Ryan Rivers won the Republican primary for the 19th senate district, according to unofficial results from the Ohio Secretary of State.
Rivers received 51.84% of the vote district-wide:
- Ryan Rivers: 18,266 votes (51.84%)
- Beth Lear: 16,970 votes (48.16%)
The 19th District includes Delaware, Knox, Holmes and Coshocton counties.
Rivers carried all four counties, building his largest margins in Holmes and Coshocton counties.
Delaware County unofficial results:
- Beth Lear: 16,970 votes (48.2%)
- Ryan Rivers: 18,266 votes (51.8%)
Knox County unofficial results:
- Beth Lear: 3,382 votes (48.15%)
- Ryan Rivers: 3,642 votes (51.85%)
Holmes County unofficial results:
- Beth Lear: 783 votes (34.37%)
- Ryan Rivers: 1,495 votes (65.63%)
Coshocton County unofficial results:
- Beth Lear: 1,556 votes (35.17%)
- Ryan Rivers: 2,868 votes (64.83%)
Rivers now faces Democrat Janet Wagner, who was unopposed in the primary.
Rivers has served as Orange Township trustee in Delaware County and is a past president of The Ohio Township Association. He previously told Delaware Source he plans to work on tax reform, energy generation and investing in education.
Rivers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Ohio House District 61
The 61st District race sought to replace Rep. Beth Lear, who chose to run for state Senate.
Shawn Stevens won the Republican primary, according to unofficial results from the Ohio Secretary of State.
Stevens received 57.10% of the vote district-wide:
- Shawn Stevens: 7,977 votes (57.10%)
- Andrew O. Brenner: 5,994 votes (42.90%)
This district covers eastern Delaware County and western Knox County.
Stevens led in both counties, building a wider margin in Knox County.
Delaware County unofficial results:
- Andrew O. Brenner: 4,897 votes (43.65%)
- Shawn Stevens: 6,322 votes (56.35%)
Knox County unofficial results:
- Andrew O. Brenner: 1,097 votes (39.86%)
- Shawn Stevens: 1,655 votes (60.14%)
Stevens will now face Democrat Vince McGrail in November, who was unopposed in the primary.
Stevens served on the Delaware County Board of Elections for 10 years, during which he served as president of the Ohio Association of Election Officials. He has worked to elect conservative local, statewide, and national GOP candidates since moving to Delaware County in 2005.
“Tonight the Republican voters of Knox and Delaware counties chose a new direction in leadership at the Statehouse,” Stevens told Delaware Source after the results posted.
“I am so humbled by the support for my candidacy. I will work hard to carry the Republican message of lowering taxes and cutting waste.
“On to the November general election.”
Ohio House District 60
The 60th District, which includes western Delaware County, saw contested primaries on both sides.
Republican primary
Brian Lorenz won the Republican primary, according to unofficial results from the Ohio Secretary of State.
- Brian Lorenz (incumbent): 7,795 votes (77.19%)
- Peggy Guzzo: 2,304 votes (22.81%)
Lorenz was appointed to the seat in 2023 following the death of Kris Jordan, and voters reelected him for a full term in the November 2024 general election.
Now, he is one step closer to another reelection this November.
He recently sponsored House Bill 176, which would create a regulatory “sandbox” aimed at reducing barriers for businesses and encouraging innovation. The bill is now under consideration in the Ohio Senate.
Democratic primary
Shelby Kimball won the Democratic primary.
- Shelby Kimball: 4,062 votes (52.95%)
- Eli Wenzel: 3,610 votes (47.05%)
Kimball, a Marine Corps veteran and Dublin resident, is running on issues including public education, access to healthcare and support for military families.
Lorenz and Kimball will face off in the November general election.
5th District Court of Appeals
The 5th District Court of Appeals, which includes Delaware County and several counties across north central and eastern Ohio, featured a contested Republican primary.
Matthew George won the Republican primary with 46.35% of the vote, according to unofficial results from the Ohio Secretary of State.
Of the total, 44.91% of the vote was in Richland County, 52.79% in Knox County and 48.58% in Delaware County.
George had 41.47 percent in Ashland County, according to final unofficial results from the Ashland County Board of Elections.
George, a judge on the Licking County Municipal Court, will advance to the November general election for a six-year term on the appellate bench.
The 5th District Court of Appeals hears cases from multiple counties across north central and eastern Ohio, reviewing decisions from lower courts and interpreting how state law is applied. The position carries an annual salary of $187,013.
“Thank you to the voters of the 5th District. I will work hard to fulfill the responsibilities placed upon me and live up to the trust you have given me,” George said.
What’s next
Tuesday’s results remain unofficial until they are certified by the Board of Elections later this month, following the official canvass and any required recounts.
