The tiniest of fractions separates the winner from the loser in the contest between Republican incumbent Al Landis and Democratic challenger Josh O’Farrell in the district that covers Tuscarawas County and part of Holmes.  The official results were tallied after the county boards of elections decided which provisional ballots – ones about which there were questions such as changes of address -- should be counted.

For now, Landis is on top, and expects to stay that way.

“It was a long campaign, and it was hard fought on both sides and the fact that it came down to such a close margin is not a surprise. Obviously that lends itself to an automatic recount, which we’ll be anxiously awaiting.”

But O’Farrell says he’s not ready to give up.

“There’s some truth to the saying that every vote counts. You do see the importance of people getting out and exercising their right to vote and that’w shy wer’e going to do everything we have to do to ensure that those individuals who took the time to vote on Election Day have their votes counted.”

That may include challenging provisional ballots that were thrown out, but Landis doesn’t think that will change anything.

 Two other close Statehouse races are awaiting the results certified by their boards of elections today, one in Cuyahoga County and one in Columbiana.