Koehler told the News-Sun that he was happy with the turnout for Republicans in the area.
“I am overwhelmed by the record number of voters who turned out in this election. To those who gave me their vote, I say thank you,” Koehler said. “To those who voted for my opponent, I hope to earn your confidence over the next four years as I represent all the citizens of Clark, Greene, and Clinton counties.”
Koehler said he is excited to return to Columbus and work to “make Ohio and the 10th Senate District the best place to live, work and raise a family.”
“Our country and our state are very divided right now. While sticking to my principles and convictions, I will work to solve the issues before us so that Ohioans can concentrate on raising good families, educating their children and getting all Ohioans back to work,” Koehler said.
Koehler has said he is focused on taxes, government overspending, education and immigration. He served eight years in the state House of Representatives, and his family has owned and operated K.K. Tools Company Inc. in downtown Springfield since 1972. He is also involved in organizations like the Nehemiah Foundation, Choosing Hope Adoption and the Second Harvest Food Bank.
Koehler said there is little the state can do about the presence of thousands of Haitian immigrants in Springfield, but he said he hopes they come here to work. He said he is disappointed by complaints they are stealing longtime residents’ benefits, because he doesn’t view public assistance a benefit, but as something for specific people who are hurting and need help.
As a state representative, Koehler was instrumental in passing a law restricting payday lending in the state. It reformed payday lending to close loopholes and clarify statutes regulating the industry.
McGregor had said his top priorities included addressing public school funding, building a “family-friendly economy” and addressing human-caused climate change.
Ohio House District 71
Republican Levi Dean defeated Democratic opponent Krista Magaw for Ohio House District 71, with 70.43% of the vote, compared with Magaw’s 29.57%.
Dean is the son of current Rep. Bill Dean, who is term-limited and not running for re-election.
Magaw is a Yellow Springs resident and former executive director of the Tecumseh Land Trust. She replaced uncontested primary winner James Duffee after he withdrew from the race.
Ohio House District 74
Incumbent Republican Rep. Bernie Willis handily defeated Democrat Derek Alvarado, with 64,14% of votes to Alvarado’s 35.86%.
Willis has represented the 74th district since January 2023 after he won the seat in 2022. He is a recently retired military colonel and adjunct professor in unmanned aviation with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Sinclair Community College.
In this term, Willis has focused on school bus safety, plus wanting a more open and honest conversation about the state budget and refocusing Veterans Affairs to better serve military veterans.
Alvarado is a special education teacher who said he decided to run for office to further support the Springfield community.
District 74 encompasses the city of Springfield and all of northern Clark County.
Ohio House District 85
Republican incumbent Rep. Tim Barhorst defeated Victoria Maddox in this race with 80.07% of the vote to Maddox’s 19.93%. The district encompasses Champaign and Shelby counties, as well as the southern portion of Logan County.
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