Bline, Ingold, Labutis, and Newman Win Newark City Council Ward Races
Unofficial election results from the Licking County Board of Elections show that Beth Bline, Molly Ingold, Mark Labutis, and Michelle Newman have won their respective Newark City Council ward races.
Ward Race Results
- Ward 2: Republican incumbent Beth Bline received 441 votes (64%) defeating Democratic challenger Daniel Crawford, who received 248 votes.
- Ward 3: Molly Ingold won with 721 votes (60%) against Marci Fones with 472 votes. Ingold had previously defeated Jeff Rath in the Republican primary.
- Ward 4: Incumbent Republican Mark Labutis earned 626 votes (56%), while Democrat William Mooney received 504 votes (44%).
- Ward 7: Michelle Newman narrowly defeated Travis Bralley with 401 votes (52%) to 363 votes (48%).
The results are unofficial until certified by the Licking County Board of Elections.
Candidate Priorities
"Safety, housing and zoning, and city planning are some of my top issues." — Beth Bline
"Taking a smart approach to growth and strategic planning while encouraging community engagement will be my focus." — Molly Ingold
"I want to strengthen public safety and invest in the city’s infrastructure." — Mark Labutis
These priorities highlight a shared focus on community safety, development, and engagement across the winning candidates.
Author's summary: Newark City Council incumbents and challengers secured victories with a focus on public safety, strategic growth, and infrastructure investment, pending official certification.