Kulewicz takes Ohio attorney general seat

John Kulewicz, a lawyer and member of the Upper Arlington City Council, won the election for Ohio attorney general on Tuesday. The Ohio Secretary of State's website reported that all precincts in the state had submitted their results by the time the data was finalized. Kulewicz defeated Republican Keith Faber, who had served as Ohio auditor since 2019. It was the first time Kulewicz ran for state office.

The Associated Press had not yet officially called the race at the time of the report, but the unofficial numbers placed Kulewicz ahead. In a statement posted to Facebook on Wednesday morning, Kulewicz said he had spoken with Faber, who offered a concession. Kulewicz noted that provisional and military ballots remained outstanding, but he believed he would begin serving as the next attorney general within 70 days. He described the moment as one of great honor and excitement for him.

Faber posted his own statement on X, confirming he had called Kulewicz to wish him well. Faber said that unless unusual patterns emerged in the uncounted overseas votes, Kulewicz would be the state's next top legal officer. Faber thanked the voters and supporters who backed his candidacy during the campaign.

Democrats also secured other executive positions in the state. Allison Russo, a four-term former member of the Ohio House of Representatives from Upper Arlington, defeated Robert Sprague for state treasurer. The Associated Press projected Russo's win. Sprague had served as Ohio treasurer since 2019 and was also a former state representative. Russo will replace Republican Frank LaRose in the role of state auditor.

LaRose is currently leading the race for state auditor against Democrat Annette Blackwell, the mayor and safety director of Maple Heights. Blackwell did not win the office she sought. In the separate race for state treasurer, Democrat Seth Walsh, a Cincinnati City Council member, was ahead of Republican Jay Edwards. Edwards is a former member of the Ohio House of Representatives from Nelsonville.

Voters also chose two members of the Ohio Supreme Court on Tuesday. Incumbent Justice Jennifer Brunner, a Democrat, was leading her race against Republican Colleen O'Donnell. O'Donnell most recently served as a U.S. immigration judge in Texas and previously worked as an assistant attorney general. She is the daughter of retired Ohio Supreme Court Justice Terrence O'Donnell. In the second judicial race, Democrat Marilyn Zayas, a judge in Hamilton County's First District Court of Appeals, was leading incumbent Republican Justice Dan Hawkins.