The Associated Press reports:
With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Republican Troy Balderson has declared victory over Democrat Danny O’Connor in Tuesday’s 12th Congressional District special election. Balderson is ahead of O’Connor by roughly 1,700 votes or 0.8 percent. Though all precincts are reporting, there has not been an official winner declared.
According to the Associated Press, there are at least 3,367 provisional ballots left to be reviewed. President Donald Trump campaigned for Balderson, arguing Republicans need to control Congress and casting the midterms as a referendum on himself.
The race is a test of voter sentiment before the general election in November when Balderson and O’Connor will battle again for the full two-year term.
When I decided to go to Ohio for Troy Balderson, he was down in early voting 64 to 36. That was not good. After my speech on Saturday night, there was a big turn for the better. Now Troy wins a great victory during a very tough time of the year for voting. He will win BIG in Nov.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 8, 2018
The special election for Ohio’s 12th District is too close to call. Republicans are claiming victory, but the Democrat has not conceded. https://t.co/GoPNmbjW6G pic.twitter.com/yPrGG0fOft
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) August 8, 2018
Folks, our race is too close to call.
And now we’re entering what could be a long and expensive recount.
Will you please chip in to help us make sure every vote is counted fairly? https://t.co/CEFdOwrXCN
— Danny O’Connor (@dannyoconnor1) August 8, 2018
Republicans are claiming victory in a closely watched congressional race in Ohio that’s officially too close to call. Republican Troy Balderson leads Democrat Danny O’Connor by more than 1,700 votes in the special election for a seat the GOP has controlled for three decades. pic.twitter.com/kCQvw22W0g
— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) August 8, 2018