AP: Antani wins Ohio Senate 6th District seat

In the race for the Ohio Senate 6th District seat, State Rep. Niraj Antani, R-Miamisburg, won against Democratic candidate and political newcomer Mark Fogel, according to the Associated Press.

Antani, 29, who is serving his third term as the representative of the 42nd district of the Ohio House of Representatives, won the general election in 2014 at the age of 23. During his campaign, he spotlighted his service to the community via politics and what inspired it: his parents emigrating to the United States from India in 1978, traveling to Chicago for an interview with Hewlett Packard and securing a job in Dayton.

Fogel, a 40-year-old former Air Force fighter pilot, ran a campaign highlighting his experience in the military as a pilot, in business and nonprofit advocacy and leadership, and as a husband and father.

Once sworn-in, he will make history as Ohio’s first Indian-American state senator, said Antani.

“I am so grateful for the continued support of this community in which I was born and raised,” he said in a statement. “My grandparents lived much of their life under British rule in India, only gaining their freedom seven decades ago. That it is possible for their grandson to be elected as Ohio’s first Indian American State Senator is a testament to America’s beauty.”

Antani thanked voters for entrusting him with “this sacred honor, to be their voice at the Statehouse.”

“As state senator, I will work hard every day so all Ohioans can have the opportunity to achieve their American Dream,” he said.

These results are expected to change as more ballots are counted through Nov. 18. We will continue to update these results as more ballots are counted.

Antani replaces outgoing state Sen. Peggy Lehner in the Ohio Senate 6th District seat, which covers about two-thirds of Montgomery County, including Kettering, Huber Heights, Riverside, Centerville, Miamisburg, Miami Twp., Washington Twp., West Carrollton, Oakwood, Germantown and part of Dayton.

Held by Republicans since 1985, the seat is being vacated by Lehner, who is facing term limits. The position pays $60,584 a year. The term is four years and members can serve two consecutive four-year terms.

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