COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A two-term Ohio state senator who was backed by both President Donald Trump and Gov. John Kasich, a Trump critic, has won a congressional special election, retaining a coveted open House seat for Republicans.
Voters picked Sen. Troy Balderson, of Zanesville, over Democratic Franklin County Recorder Danny O'Connor to complete the unexpired term of ex-U.S. Rep. Pat Tiberi, who retired in January. Balderson will face O'Connor again in November for a full two-year term.
The gridlocked race decided Friday was a test of voter sentiment before November's general election.
Balderson's victory buoys Republicans concerned about how Trump is playing in swing states. But O'Connor was a long shot in the district, held by Republicans for nearly 35 years.
The Republican Kasich represented the district before Tiberi.
