MORGANTOWN – Republican 13th District state Senate candidate Mike Oliverio won a close victory over Democratic opponent Barbara Evans Fleischauer Tuesday night.
The numbers were 13,459 for Oliverio and 13,297 for Fleischauer – a 162-vote difference. That number is unofficial pending canvassing and Fleischauer may request a recount.
In the other two local state Senate races, incumbent Republican Charles Clements held on to his 2nd District seat and Republican Jay Taylor took the open 14th District seat.
13th District
The district covers portions of Monongalia and Marion counties along the I-68 and I-79 corridor. Oliverio previously held the seat currently occupied by Democrat Bob Beach, who chose to run instead for Mon County Commission. Fleischauer is a 51st District delegate who chose to run for this office.
Oliverio won Marion County, with 6,249 votes to Fleischauer’s 4,271. Fleischauer took Mon, with 9,036 votes to Oliverio’s 7,210.
Oliverio said, “We’re excited about the outcome tonight. It’s a great victory.” He thanks his volunteers who’ve worked for him since January. And, “I want to thank everybody that came out and voted for us.”
Fleischauer could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.
2nd District
With 111 of 114 precincts reporting, Clements had 16,741 votes (62%) to Democratic challenger Eric Hayhurst’s 10,126 (38%).In Mon County, with 16 precincts, Clements had 5,152 votes to Hayhurst’s 4,836. In Marion, with 32 precincts, he had 3,074 votes to Hayhurst’s 2,076.
14th District
This was an open seat. Republican Sen. Dave Sypolt is retiring.
With 89 of 100 precincts reporting, Republican Jay Taylor had 19,710 votes (76%) and Democrat Amanda Pitzer had 6,292 (24%). In Preston, with 28 precincts, Taylor tallied 6,253 votes to Pitzer’s 2,674.
All numbers are unofficial pending canvassing.
TWEET David Beard @dbeardtdp EMAIL dbeard@dominionpost.com
