Republican incumbent Joseph Uecker has defeated democratic challenger William Newby for the Ohio House of Representatives 66th district seat.

“I am pleased to see the trust that the voters of the 66th district have placed in me,” said Uecker after the election results came in on Tuesday night. “We won by a resounding margin.”

The 127 precincts in the 66th district reported that Uecker garnered 27,422 votes, Newby, 15,602; a difference of 11,820 votes.

This will be the second two-year term for Representative Uecker.

“I think the voters of the 66th re-elected me because of my track record, my accomplishments in education, creating jobs, and growing the economy here in Clermont County,” he said. “They know that I represent their interests.”

Uecker, who is a life-long resident of Miami Township, was first elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 2004.

He feels that he accomplished much in those first two years but realizes that he has many more challenges yet to face.

“We need to focus on school funding, education, and the state’s economy. We have to protect small business owners by providing tax breaks. That is very important in growing the state’s economy.”

Uecker said that he only has the utmost respect for Newby.

“He ran a great campaign by going door to door,” Uecker said. “I would like to congratulate him on being part of the election process.”

It was his background and his experience that pulled him through to victory when the final votes were counted on Tuesday night, he said.

“I look forward to serving another two years in the state general assembly and will continue to work hard for the people of the 66th district.”

The 66th district is comprised of Miami, Goshen, Union, and Batavia townships, as well as Amelia, Batavia, and some parts of Milford and Loveland.