Goyal retains seat in close race
November 3, 2010
Bryan Bullock
Mansfield
News Journal
MANSFIELD -- State Rep. Jay Goyal has been elected to serve a third term in the Ohio House of Representatives, overcoming a Republican tide that swept other Democrats out of state and national office.
Goyal received 17,601 votes (54 percent) and Republican challenger David D. Nitzsche received 14,883 votes (46 percent) to represent the 73rd House District, which covers Mansfield and most of Richland County.
Goyal was joined by his parents and a large number of supporters at Democratic headquarters Tuesday night. He followed the election results on his Blackberry, calmly celebrating after the tally was finalized.
"It's an honor and privilege to be elected to serve the 73rd House District again," Goyal said.
He said jobs and economic issues will continue to be his top priorities as he enters his third two-year term.
Goyal, a Mansfield native, is the second-ranking Democrat in the Ohio House.
Nitzsche, a Lexington anesthesiologist, ran against Goyal in 2008, but entered the race late to replace a Republican candidate who bowed out. Goyal defeated Nitzsche with 63 percent of the vote two years ago.
Tuesday's results were much closer.
"We gave it a good run," Nitzsche said. "It's tough to unseat an incumbent."
