Beth Bline, Molly Ingold, Mark Labutis and Michelle Newman have won their races for Newark City Council ward seats, unofficial election results from the Licking County Board of Elections show.
With all Licking County precincts reporting, Republican incumbent Bline in Ward 2 accumulated 441 votes, or 64%, to Democratic challenger Daniel Crawford’s 248 votes, according to the unofficial results.
In Ward 3, Ingold defeated Marci Fones with 721 votes, or 60%, to 472. Ingold had defeated Jeff Rath in the Republican primary election.
In Ward 4, incumbent Republican Labutis had 626 votes or 56% to Democrat William Mooney’s 44%, or 504 votes.
In Ward 7, Newman edged challenger Travis Bralley with 401 votes, or 52%, to 363 votes or 48%, respectively.
The results remain unofficial until the Licking County Board of Elections certifies them.
In a candidate questionnaire, Bline cited safety, housing and zoning and city planning as some of her top issues.
Ingold said in her questionnaire that taking a smart approach to growth and strategic planning while encouraging community engagement would be part of her focus on the council.
Labutis said in his candidate questionnaire he wants to strengthen public safety and invest in the city’s infrastructure.
In her candidate questionnaire, Newman said she wants to strengthen pedestrian safety and support housing and community development.
Newark Advocate reporter Josué Perez can be reached at jhperez@newarkadvocate.com.
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Bline, Ingold, Labutis and Newman defeat challengers in Newark City Council ward races
Reporting by Josué Perez, Newark Advocate / Newark Advocate
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