Republicans Josh Burnett and incumbent Laurie Booher advanced through Tuesday’s Republican primary in the Columbus City Council at-large race, defeating challenger John Counceller.
Burnett, 31, steadily led the three-candidate race as soon as results were reported Tuesday evening, receiving 43 percent of 5,305 cast ballots. Booher, 55, earned the support of 38 percent.
Counceller, 72, finished with 19 percent of the primary vote. He had sought the Republican nomination to represent the 59th District at the Indiana Statehouse last year, but lost to the eventual winner, Rep. Ryan Lauer, R-Columbus. Counceller was not available for comment Tuesday night after the results were final.
Burnett, a political newcomer, said he’s ready to get to work ahead of the November election. He said that consists of listening, learning and meeting.
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“From the very beginning, I’ve just tried to work as hard as I can and focus on running the best race possible,” Burnett said. “You never really know how the results are going to shake out, but I can control the hard work that I put in.”
Booher said she’s glad the Republican party showed up to the polls, having anticipated low voter turnout for the primary.
“I’m always very humbled,” Booher said. “I don’t take any of this lightly. I take it very seriously, and I hope it means people know I’ve spent the last three and a half years listening.”
Looking toward November, Booher said she hopes Republicans will show up again to vote in the general election.
The two Republican nominees will turn their attention to Democrats Tom Dell, 64, an incumbent, and Grace Kestler, 29, who they will face in the November general election.
Dell, owner of Dell Bros. Clothing Store in downtown Columbus, has held an at-large council seat for the past four years. Kestler, owner of Grace Kestler Consulting, is a political newcomer. The two Democrats were unopposed in Tuesday’s primary.
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Columbus City Council At-Large
Republican
Laurie Booher;2,026
Josh Burnett;2281
John Counceller;998
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