Update On Ohio’s Big Special Election Results…

We told you earlier that we’d be keeping an eye on the big special election race in Ohio between Republican Troy Balderson and Democrat Danny O’Connor. As the WaPo noted earlier, the race is “a preview of the November midterms in which control of the House could be decided in similar communities nationwide that have long voted for Republicans but are souring on Trump.”

It looked like it was going to be a close one, which sucks because this is supposed to be an EASY win for Republicans.

I know people don't want to hear this, but at this point it doesn't really matter. OH-12 shouldn't be a nailbiter for the GOP, even with two solid candidates running.

— Sean T at RCP (@SeanTrende) August 8, 2018

It’s been close…

With ⅔ of votes counted, Balderson has now crept ahead to a +1.3% lead.https://t.co/7fKrKOJaAF pic.twitter.com/h0dMnBlCDP

— Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) August 8, 2018

With ¾ of votes in, O’Connor has taken back a slim +0.8% lead. #OH12https://t.co/7fKrKOJaAF pic.twitter.com/LBZX0uqJrn

— Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) August 8, 2018

With 85% of votes in, O’Connor holds a 155-vote lead. #OH12

This tweet may be outdated by the time I hit “Send.” 📲https://t.co/7fKrKOJaAF pic.twitter.com/4agwq2yujE

— Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) August 8, 2018

Now at 89% in, and Balderson has retaken the lead by +1,031 votes.

Possibly relevant: The Green Party candidate has received 1,056 votes tonight. #OH12https://t.co/7fKrKOJaAF pic.twitter.com/BPOMws7xc2

— Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) August 8, 2018

With 95% of votes in, Balderson has seemingly pulled away with a +0.4% (741 votes) lead. #OH12https://t.co/7fKrKOJaAF pic.twitter.com/gM6dNvKnze

— Frank Luntz (@FrankLuntz) August 8, 2018

It’s still too close to call, but it looks like the GOP will keep it. Here’s the latest from NYT.

And Politico:

Breaking: Balderson (R) expands lead to 1,685 votes (0.8%) w/ 152/159 Delaware precincts now in. That's *probably* the ballgame in #OH12.

— Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) August 8, 2018

Balderson wins, Trump wins. #OH12 pic.twitter.com/c4XDnMtkAW

— Mark Kennedy❌ (@RealMarkKennedy) August 8, 2018

In the last 5 minutes, I've had two Ohio politicos text me (one R, one D) to say it's looking like an automatic recount #OH12

— Kristin Fisher (@KristinFisher) August 8, 2018

#OH12 warns R’s of danger of complacency! But a WIN is a WIN! #MAGA @txsguy09

— Russell Hayter (@haysGOP225) August 8, 2018

We shall see what happens, but it’s a nail-biter for sure.