Primary Election August 2022: Melanie Miller, Darrell Kick, Heather Swiger win top spots

Bryce Buyakie
The Daily Record
Doug Patton signs in to vote at St. Mary's Church with Tom Ciha and Chris Ciha for the August 2022 election.

Winners have been decided in the second primary of 2022, per the unofficial tallies from local boards of elections. 

There were three contested non-central committee primary races in Ashland and Holmes counties.

Redistricting:Republicans: Wait until after the November election to draw new legislative maps for 2024

Primary #2:Elections: Miller, Swiger, Kick are top vote winners in Ashland, Holmes statehouse races

Melanie Miller won the Republican ballot for Ohio House District 67 in Ashland and Medina counties, according to unofficial final results from those counties. 

The Republican top spot in District 98, which includes Holmes, Coshocton and Knox counties, went to Darrell Kick. 

Heather Swiger won the Ohio Senate District 19 Democratic ballot in Holmes, Coshocton, Knox and Delaware counties.

Ohio House District 67 - Ashland and Medina counties

Bob Archer leaves the polling place at Mozelle Hall in Ashland County after casting his ballot in Tuesday's election.

Miller won the primary house race for District 67 with nearly 5,000 votes or 62% of the vote.

That's nearly 2,500 more than her opponent, Ron Falconi, who earned nearly 2,450 votes.  

In third was Terry Roberston of Medina County with 7.2% of the vote. 

Miller will face Democrat Drew Burge in the November election. Burge ran uncontested on Tuesday. 

"I think it is still setting in, but I am so honored and humbled by the people of Ashland and Medina counties," Miller said Tuesday night. "Thank you to everyone for turning out to vote in this low turnout election."

Ashland Pregnancy Care Center Executive Director Melanie Miller in a June photo. Miller won the Republican nomination for 67th District state rep.

She has supported anti-abortion legislation, lowering taxes and supporting agricultural jobs and small businesses, according to her campaign website

Miller's career has centered around nonprofits, including the Salvation Army Kroc Center and the Ashland County Ministerial Association.

She has supported anti-abortion measures and is the executive director of the Ashland Pregnancy Care Center.

A resident of Ashland, she is married to city Mayor Matt Miller.

After a day of rest on Wednesday, she plans to take to the streets in preparation for the next election. 

"We're going to hit the pavement and talk to my future constituents to learn more about their issues," she said.

Ohio House District 98 - Holmes, Coshocton, Knox counties

Kick will move on to the November election after winning the Republican nomination with nearly 2,900 votes. He will face no Democratic opposition in the fall.

Scott Pullins ran against him on Tuesday earning 43% of the vote. 

"I tried to stay positive and we prevailed," Kick said. "I got all of my home county of Holmes, so that's really nice going into my final term."

Darrell Kick of Holmes County won the Republican primary Tuesday for 98th District state representative. He faces no Democratic opponent in November.

Kick supported state legislation that limits abortion, provides more support to those affected by drug addiction and opposes medical mandates as seen during the pandemic, according to his website.

As the incumbent, Kick has sponsored and co-sponsored many bills and resolutions in the Statehouse over his three terms. 

These range from the expansion of broadband internet, allowing income tax credits for beginning farmers and related businesses and preventing transgendered individuals from participating in school sports based on their gender identity.

For a full list of bills he has sponsored, visit the Ohio House website.

Shirley Gerber of Millersburg casts her vote at St. Peter's Catholic Center in Millersburg on Tuesday, Aug. 2.

Ohio Senate District 19 - Holmes, Coshocton, Knox, Delaware counties

Swiger won over Chrissie Hinshaw with 69% of the vote or nearly 4,000 votes across Holmes, Coshocton, Knox and Delaware counties. 

She will face Republican Andrew O'Brenner in the November election for the state Senate spot. 

Swiger is the director of the Columbus Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a nonprofit that aims to help those experiencing homelessness and low-income earners, according to her campaign website

Her primary policy goals are to help people obtain and retain jobs and to help everyone, not just her party, she said on her website. 

"Heather’s top initiatives include voting rights, teacher’s rights, woman’s rights, health care and social justice," according to her website. 

Reach Bryce by email at bbuyakie@gannett.com

On Twitter: @Bryce_Buyakie