Daniels wins GOP primary for the 32nd House District

On Tuesday, voters in southern Summit County chose John K. “Jack” Daniels as the Republican candidate that will vie for the Ohio House seat of former state Rep. Bob Young in the fall.

Daniels defeated his only opponent, Mary Stormer, by 4,199 votes, according to unofficial results. He garnered 6,836 total votes compared to Stormers’ 2,637.

“It was a great win and I’ve had a lot of great people, beautiful people supporting me,” said Daniels, who was celebrating his win Tuesday night at Pick’s At PLX in Portage Lakes. “I’m appreciative of all the support and the voters.”

Daniels will run against unopposed Democrat Jim Colopy, who garnered over 4,500 primary votes, in the November election.

The 32nd House District position has remained open since Young’s resignation Oct. 2. Young was convicted in October of domestic violence, a first-degree misdemeanor, for hitting his wife. He accepted a plea deal in November that resolved three other misdemeanor charges for violating a protection order.

The district includes Green, New Franklin, Clinton, Lakemore, Mogadore, Coventry, Springfield and the Ellet and Goodyear Heights neighborhoods of Akron.

Daniels

32nd House District candidates

The Summit County Republican Party recommended New Franklin Councilman Daniels to replace Young in October, but Ohio House Republicans decided not to select a replacement, waiting instead for Tuesday’s primary.

Daniels, a small-business owner, ran against Stormer, a nurse and Realtor who has served for 20 years as a deputy clerk of courts for the city of Akron and served for eight years on Akron school board.

Before the election, both Daniels and Storm said they were strong supporters of police and interested in improving vocational education options in schools.