In a recent special election, Republican Michael Rulli emerged victorious in Ohio’s 6th Congressional District, further solidifying his party’s control in the House of Representatives.
Rulli, a state senator from the Youngstown area and an executive in his family’s grocery store chain, defeated Democratic Air Force veteran Michael Kripchak in the race for the expansive district along the Ohio River in eastern Ohio.
This win means Rulli will be taking over the seat previously held by former Rep. Bill Johnson, a seven-term Republican who vacated the position in January to assume the presidency of Youngstown State University.
Throughout the campaign, Rulli was seen as the frontrunner, particularly in a district where Donald Trump had a significant lead in the 2020 election. He secured key endorsements from prominent figures within the Ohio GOP, such as former Chairwoman Jane Timken and Rep. David Joyce.
Tuesday’s election marked the first of two matchups between Rulli and Kripchak this year, with the next one scheduled for November. The upcoming contest will determine who will serve the full two-year term beginning in January.
With Rulli’s win, Republicans are able to bolster their slim House majority, with a total of 219 seats compared to Democrats’ 213. There are currently three vacancies in the House, resulting from the departures of Republicans Mike Gallagher and Ken Buck, as well as the passing of New Jersey Democrat Donald Payne Jr.
