With Tuesday’s votes mostly counted, Republican state Sen. Michael Rulli is projected to win the special election to represent Ohio’s 6th Congressional District, according to unofficial results from the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office.
After all precincts were counted on Election Day and fewer than 1,000 provisional members remained to be counted, Rulli received 54.66% of the vote and Democratic opponent Michael Kripchak received 45.34%.
This election follows former Republican U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson’s resignation from office in January to become president of Youngstown State University.
The 6th Congressional District includes Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Harrison, Jefferson, Mahoning, Monroe, Noble, Stark, Tuscarawas and Washington counties.
Meet Rulli
Rulli is currently a legislator representing the 33rd District, which includes Columbiana, Mahoning and Carroll counties. He has served in that capacity for six years after serving as president of the Leetonia School Board. He works as the director of operations at the 100-year-old family grocery store Rulli Bros. Markets in Youngstown. He graduated from Emerson College.
He is known for sponsoring and passing bipartisan legislation. He is the chairman of the General Government Commission and vice-chairman of the Commission for Labor and Higher Education.
Rulli would like to serve on both the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Ways and Means Committee. Rulli is a self-described “big natural gas guy” and also likes hydro, solar and wind power.
He admires the work of U.S. Reps. Dave Joyce (OH-14) and Mike Carey (OH-15). Joyce, from suburban Cleveland, was named the 15th most bipartisan legislator of 2023 by Georgetown University. Carey, from suburban Columbus, was ranked 120th. For comparison, U.S. representative Jim Jordan (OH-4) finished last, 436th.
Joyce and Carey were two of four Ohio representatives who voted in support protecting the right to same-sex marriage.
Rulli calls himself Trump’s candidate.
Meet him
Before the election, we conducted two separate, 45-minute interviews with both him and Kripchak.
Here’s the gist of his views on heated topics:
Inflation? 5% cuts in every government department.
Immigration? Close the border and encourage legal immigration.
Help for Ukraine? Yes, with supervision.
Israel’s facilitate? Yes.
Cease-fire? Yes, but only if Hamas is destroyed.
Help for the Palestinians? Yes, as long as it doesn’t fall into the hands of Hamas.
Federal restrictions on abortion? NO.
Contraception restrictions? NO.
Trump trial? Apparent.
The biggest threat to democracy? Election deniers.
Federal gun laws? There is room for common ground.
Watch his interview below:
Kripchak replies
Following his loss, Kripchak sent the following comment to OCJ/WEWS:
“Tonight’s results did not dampen our spirit. Although historically a red district, our campaign exceeded expectations, proving doubters wrong. We managed to achieve so much in such a miniature time. I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish when we have more time. I am extremely proud of our volunteers and everyone who passionately supports our cause.
This experience deepened my involvement in eastern Ohio. In the coming months, I plan to spend even more time in the district, listening to and learning from its extraordinary residents to find ways to unite and revitalize our community.
Our journey is not over yet. These elections have only strengthened our determination to continue the fight for a prosperous future. Thank you to everyone who was with us. I’m excited to continue to grow together, building on the progress we’ve made.”
Ohio GOP responds
Ohio Republican Party Chairman Alex Triantafilo released the following statement regarding the result:
“Congratulations to Ohio’s next congressman, Michael Rulli! The people of Ohio’s 6th Congressional District are patriotic, hard-working, and want Washington to start putting America first again. I am confident he will do a tremendous job for his constituents and I look forward to working with him to support our Republican candidates in the November elections.”
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