JANELLE PATTERSON The Marietta Times Matthew Livengood talks with friends at the Town House Tuesday night, celebrating the two-thirds county vote selecting him as the next county auditor.

Two-thirds of Washington County voters supported the current chief deputy auditor in becoming the next auditor in the county.

Republican Matthew Livengood, 48, of Marietta, took the early voter lead at 62.73 percent of the vote and kept that lead throughout the night, finishing with 66.27 percent of the vote.

Livengood takes office in mid-March, filling in the shoes of longtime county auditor Bill McFarland when he retires from office.

He was at the Town House celebrating Tuesday night with members of the Washington County Republican Party.

“Excited, and humbled, yeah those are probably the two best words to describe me right now,” he said after the results were clear. “I think it’s going to be a smooth transition and almost as simple as just switching desks.”

He said after nearly six years under McFarland, he’s ready to take the reigns in the county seat.

“And I’m thankful not only for all of the people that supported me, but that Leslie and I ran clean races,” he said. “And thanks to the citizens of Washington County who recognize keeping the experience in the office.”

Livengood also made sure to mention the support of his wife, Nicole.

“Without her, none of this would have been possible,” he said.

Independent Leslie Pittenger, 60, of Belpre, said Tuesday that she appreciated the opportunity to run and to provide voters with two qualified choices.

“It was the first time in a very long time that Washington County had two options on every race of the offices that were running… I’m a little disappointed that the voters chose the status quo but that’s just the way it is. I still have a job and I still have things I can do here in Belpre,” she said.

Pittenger still serves as Belpre’s city auditor, and said she plans to run again for that seat but not for the county office.

“It was an enjoyable process and I really enjoyed meeting all of the people across the county,” she said. “I was in every corner at some point and our county is made up of some amazing people.”

Pittenger said she spent Tuesday evening removing lawn signs from the majority of the county, though she still has a few to pick up along Ohio 60.

Voters at the polls Tuesday said they were choosing between two qualified candidates.

“I think they’re both qualified, though I like the fact that Matt has been in there already,” said Bill White, of Marietta.

Pete Harris, 58, of Marietta, voted for Pittenger, supporting her independence from the Republican party.

“The other option was a Republican, and I’m not,” he explained.

For Carole Hancock, of Devola, the choice included professional familiarity.

“I’ve known Matt and Nicole and did want to support him,” she said as she left the polls Tuesday.

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By the numbers:

¯ 22,145 Washington County voters cast a ballot in the race for county auditor.

¯ Republican Matthew Livengood took 66.27 percent of the vote, with 14,675 votes.

¯ Independent Leslie Pittenger took 33.73 percent of the vote, with 7,470 votes.

Source: Washington County Board of Elections.