Lang bested Ohio Rep. Candice Keller, R-Middletown, and West Chester Twp. Trustee Lee Wong with 49.5 percent of the vote, according to unofficial election results.
Lang looks forward to the Nov. 3 general election rematch, calling Wyenandt “genuinely a good person.”
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Lang has pushed for the “West Chester model” to be applied to the state in his time in Columbus, which started in September 2017 following his appointment. His “business-first” message hasn’t changed since he first sought political office 20 years ago.
Wyenandt said she looks forward “to a healthy exchange of ideas” with Lang “now that the long and noisy primary is over.”
“It’s time to focus on what matters most to families here in Butler County — jobs and the economy, healthcare, especially now, and supporting our schools,” she said.
Ohio’s 4th Senate District consists of most of Butler County.
Keller’s primary loss marks the end of her time in the Ohio House as she chose to seek the 4th Senate District seat that would be vacated by incumbent Sen. Bill Coley, R-Liberty Twp., due to term limits.
The GOP race for the 4th Ohio Senate seat had been contentious at times as Lang received support from the Republican Party and countywide elected officials, while Keller’s right-leaning conservative base gave her unwavering support.
Keller is a critic of the political left and moderate conservatives, like Lang, and was a champion of Ohio’s heartbeat bill that was signed into law by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine in April 2019 before a federal judge blocked its implementation in July 2019.
Keller has also pushed for Second Amendment-related legislation, such as the “Stand Your Ground” bill.
MORE: Check out the area’s 2020 primary election results
Wong will continue his fourth term as West Chester Twp. trustee. His political philosophy focuses on “good government that begins and ends with a concern for people, their concerns, their problems and their dreams.”
“Governing should not be about partisan loyalty, but rather it should be about having loyalty to the people,” he said.
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