AKRON, Ohio – Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan, and those whom he supports, celebrated a near-sweep in Tuesday’s Democratic primary election.

With nearly 80 percent of the vote, Horrigan won handily over Antioch Baptist pastor Greg Harrison, but that wasn’t his only victory of the night.

Akron City Council candidates endorsed by Horrigan won four of their five ward races, with one at-large candidate coming in a close fourth in a three-seat contest.

Jeff Fusco and Akron School Board member Ginger Baylor, who were endorsed by Horrigan and the local Democratic party, earned 22 percent and 18.5 percent, respectively, in the six-way Democratic primary for at-large seats. In second place, incumbent at-large Councilwoman Linda Omobien garnered 20 percent of the vote.

Less than .1 percent of the vote separates Baylor from Ward 8 Councilwoman Marilyn Keith, who was endorsed by Horrigan and received support from about 18.4 percent of Democratic primary voters.

Unendorsed incumbents left behind

In the ward races, three incumbents – who were not endorsed by the Democratic party – lost to challengers, including two who were backed by the mayor.

In Ward 2, FirstEnergy accountant and Horrigan ally Phil Lombardo ousted the outspoken Bruce Kilby in the race to represent the North Hill and Chapel Hill neighborhoods.

“I wasn’t looking for a second-place finish,” Lombardo told cleveland.com. “I’m a competitor and the people in Ward 2, if they don’t already know it… is when I’m up to bat, I’m not looking to hit a single, I’m swinging for the fences.”

Unendorsed incumbent Bob Hoch came in third in the Democratic primary challenge for Ward 6. Retired Akron fire investigator Brad McKitrick won, followed by retired Akron engineer Michael Madonio, neither of whom were endorsed by Horrigan.

Ward 10 Councilman Zack Milkovich also came in third place in the race to represent his ward. He was bested by Goodyear Heights activist Sharon Connor, who was supported by Horrigan and earned 56 percent of the vote.

Other ward races

The only Horrigan-endorsed candidate to lose in Tuesday’s primary was retired health-care administrator Janice Davis in Ward 4. Incumbent Russel Neal, Jr. won with 57 percent.

Rich Swirsky of Ward 1, Margo Sommerville of Ward 3 and Mike Freeman of Ward 9 each ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Ward 5 Councilwoman Tara Mosely-Samples won, 59 percent to 41 percent, against challenger Johnnie Hannah.

With 75 percent of the vote, incumbent Donnie Kammer trounced social worker Tammy Cummings in the race for Ward 7.

Former Akron Assistant Law Director Shammas Malik had the most impressive showing of the night, garnering 81 percent of the vote against Curtis Walker, Sr.

Republican primaries

The lone Republican candidate for mayor is Josh Sines, a ring announcer for mixed martial arts, professional wrestling and boxing and new co-owner of Bob’s Hamburg.

In the four-person race for three Republican spots on the November ballot for at-large candidates, Cynthia Blake, Henry Todd and Monica McNatt are leading with 33 percent, 32 percent and 27 percent, respectively. Osita Obierika is in fourth place with 8 percent.

Brian Fortney won the contested primary of Ward 8 against Gregory Dunham, 56 percent to 44 percent.

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