In one of the few house races with no incumbent, Republican Kevin Bacon overcame Democrat Dean Hernandez to win the 21st District seat with about 52 percent of the vote, according to unofficial results.

Linda Reidelbach, the district's current representative, did not seek a fourth term in office.

That might have been a positive thing for the Republican party, Bacon said.

"For me, being the Republican candidate, (there) definitely was an advantage in not being the incumbent," he said. "It was tough for Republicans, but it was even harder for incumbent Republicans."

Bacon currently is serving his second term as a Blendon Township trustee.

Hernandez ran a strong campaign, Bacon said. Education funding reform, health care and economic development were key interests for both candidates.

Ohio House District 22

Incumbent Jim Hughes, a Republican, was able to fight off Democrat John Carney to hang onto his seat at the Statehouse. He got about 54 percent of the vote, according to preliminary results.

Homeland security, crime, education funding and creating new jobs were some of Hughes' goals. He now will enter his fourth and final term as representative.

Health care and school funding reform were some of Carney's chief interests. He overcame three other hopefuls in the May primary but was unable to unseat Hughes.