Rogers narrowly beat Combs by 24 votes, according to unofficial results from the Butler County Board of Elections.
If the win holds after the primary election is certified later this month, he will represent the GOP in the county commissioner race this November against Democratic candidate Jodi Billerman.
Of the 42,249 votes cast in Tuesday’s election — 38,259 were from Republicans.
Only 18.26 percent of registered voters turned out, but the highest percentage came from West Chester Twp.’s 48 precincts.
The data showed that the top three cities — Hamilton, Middletown and Fairfield — and top three townships — Liberty, Fairfield and West Chester townships — in the county were the deciding factors.
More than 55 percent of the votes Tuesday were from these six communities.
Rogers won the most votes in Liberty, Fairfield and West Chester townships while Combs received the most votes in Middletown, Hamilton and Fairfield. Furmon’s best showing in the six communities was in his hometown, Hamilton, where he received the second-most votes.
The victory for the local builder and real estate broker was a surprise as many thought the race would be between Combs and Furmon. Rogers said he owes his victory — albeit an unofficial one until the official run on March 20 is conducted — to his supporters.
“I was born in Hamilton, but I’ve been in West Chester (Twp.) since ’78. I’m very involved in the community there,” Rogers said. “I think the reason I won is that I have relationships throughout the county, and that’s what brought it home for me.”
He said the final throes of the primary election campaign was the difference.
“I think what happened in the last three or four days (before the election) is what made it all come together,” Rogers said. “Mainly it was personal relationships where people who knew me reached out to their friends and relatives.”
Furmon said he did not look at the results following the election.
“I really appreciate the opportunity to serve,” he said. “It’s over and done, and I’m very happy to move on.”
The Butler County Board of Elections must first validate the 348 Republican and 69 Democratic provisional ballots not counted on election day. Elections Director Jocelyn Bucaro said those votes will be reviewed and voted on by the board either on March 17 or 19, and an official run of the election will be conducted on March 20. The election will be certified on March 21, she said.
Combs said he feels the votes will come from where he’s strongest — in the incorporated areas.
“If those provisional ballots are where we think they are, then it looks pretty good for me,” Combs said. “If that is where they’re at, then I feel very, very confident. If it’s more of the east side of the county, then I’m worried.”
Butler County GOP Chairman Dave Kern said voters spoke for change.
“The townships, generally being faster growing areas, are just as familiar with Courtney and Chuck as they are with T.C., and they wanted a changed,” he said. “Many people were surprised.”
Regardless of the outcome, Kern said the GOP will have a good candidate.
An official winner isn’t likely to be known when the primary election is certified a day after the official run. Despite the 348 yet-to-be counted GOP ballots, Bucaro said based on “rough” projections, the race will likely fall within the 1/2-percent automatic recount trigger. The earliest any recount can happen is five days after the election is certified.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2175 or michael.pitman@coxinc. com. Follow at
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