Washington County residents cast their ballots at the Washington County Fairgrounds poll location Tuesday evening. (Photo by Amber Phipps)

Former Fort Frye Local Board of Education member Stephanie Lang won against incumbent Washington County Commissioner Eddie Place in the Republican primary, winning nearly 59% of the votes, according to final unofficial, election results Tuesday night.

With 50 precincts reporting, Lang received 4,296 votes to Place’s 3,020.

“I was shocked to see the results come in so quickly, and I’m very grateful, and I give all the glory to God,” said Lang.

Lang will face Brian G. Whalin in the November general election. Whalin was unopposed in the Democratic primary.

“I want to thank my family, my friends, my campaign manager, and the voters who made this possible,” she said.

The winner in November will take over the seat in January.

Place, who was appointed to the seat in January 2025, could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday night.

The Washington County Board of Developmental Disabilities levy passed by 867 votes with 50 precincts reporting.

The levy sought to collect $2,167,671 annually at a rate not exceeding 0.95 mill for each $1 of taxable value. This amounts to $33 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s market value for a period of five years, first due in 2027, according to the Washington County Board of Elections.

WCBDD Director Tiffany Neill said it was a good evening.

“I want to thank all the county voters for showing up to this election,” she said. “I feel so grateful at this time.”

Neill said the people the board serves will receive the support they need and deserve with these funds.

“I can assure the taxpayers we will be mindful of these dollars moving forward,” said Neill. “A big thank you to everyone who made this possible.”

There were 5,826 votes for the levy and 4,959 against.

The renewal levy for the Washington County Public Library failed by 328 votes with 5,530 against the levy and 5,202 for it.

The levy would have collected $1,140,880 annually at a rate not exceeding 0.5 mill for each $1 of taxable value. This amounts to $18 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s market value for a period of 10 years commencing in 2026, first due in 2027.

The levy earned enough votes to pass in the general election November 2025 but due to a problem with the information on the ballot, the votes couldn’t be officially counted and the levy was not passed.

Officials with the library could not be reached Tuesday night.

The tax levy for Marietta Township Fire & EMS passed 493-317 and will collect $157,500 annually at a rate not exceeding 1 mill for each $1 of taxable value. This amounts to $35 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s market value for a period of five years commencing in 2026, first due in the calendar year 2027.

The East Muskingum Fire District levy passed 595-257. It will collect $290,460 annually at a rate not exceeding 2 mills for each $1 of taxable value. This amounts to $70 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s market value for a period of five years commencing in 2026, first due in 2027.

Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com