Butler County Endorses Trump, While Oxford Voters Back Clinton

BY CARLEIGH TURNER and MAGGIE THOMAS
Miami University journalism students

As America wakes to a new political reality this morning, Butler County residents can share in the victory of Donald Trump as the 45th U.S. president.

The county, which includes Oxford and Miami University, supported Republican Trump over Democrat Hillary Clinton by a 62 to 34 percent margin -- as the state overall went 52-44 percent for Trump.

Local results adhered to recent history, as Butler County voters typically lean right, often by a two-thirds majority. The Republican candidate carried Butler County in the last six presidential elections -- by 62 percent for Mitt Romney in 2012, 61 percent for John McCain in 2008, 66 percent for George W. Bush in 2004, 63 percent for Bush in 2000, 55 percent for Bob Dole in 1996 and 48 percent for George H. W. Bush in 1992.

Oxford voters, also as usual, showed more love for the Democrat. Combined, voters in Oxford’s 13 precincts favored Clinton over Trump, 67 percent to 33 percent. In the precincts that vote at Miami's Shriver Center -- numbers 2, 6, 7, 11 and 12 – the margin was 65 percent for Clinton and 35 percent for Trump. In the last presidential contest, Shriver Center voters gave 50 percent of their votes to Barack Obama and 47 percent to Romney.

With all votes in -- and nearly 69 percent of Butler County's 242,950 registered voters participating in the election -- those patterns were repeated across the board, according to results from the Butler County Board of Elections:

Republicans also dominated in other local races of interest, Board figures showed:

• In the Ohio State Senate, 4th district, incumbent Republican Bill Coley won over Democrat John Kinne, 68 to 32 percent.
• In the Ohio State House, 51st district, incumbent Republican Wes Retherford won over Democrat Johnny H. Hamilton, 66 to 34 percent.
• In the Ohio State House, 52nd district, incumbent Republican Margaret Conditt was unopposed.
• In the Ohio State House, 53rd district, it was Republican Candice Keller over Democrat Suzi Rubin, both newcomers,65 to 35 percent.
• In the Ohio State House, 54th district, incumbent Republican Paul Zeltwanger won 56 percent of the vote to Democrat Rick Smith's 44 percent.

Oxford was abuzz on Tuesday as residents and students gathered to cast their votes.

Outside Shriver Hall, voters were greeted by free donuts, apple cider and Uncle Sam hats.

Lana Van Til, a sophomore political science and strategic communications major, worked a booth with Leigh Ackerman, coordinator in the office of community engagement and service. Van Til, who voted for Rob Portman and Donald Trump, said the energy on campus was “a little crazy.”

“I’m involved in a lot of political groups so [election day] is really exciting for that group of the population,” Van Til said. “But I feel like also a lot of students are trying to ignore this election, because people aren’t really happy with the candidates.”
Freshmen Noelle Fox, Belle Spinell and Molly Riebau all voted for the first time at Shriver Hall Tuesday morning.
“[Voting] is a little nerve-racking I guess," Riebau said. “I wish the first election we voted in was a better election. I feel like there weren’t any really good candidates. I felt bad voting, like I felt guilty.”

Students and Oxford residents also lined up to vote at Talawanda High School on Tuesday morning.

Miami junior Andrew Deleo was a first-time voter at the high school.

“I think it’s great that we’re in a Democratic society and that we can go out and vote. It’s huge that every one of us does that,” Deleo said. “No matter what I’m just happy to be American and have this opportunity to vote."

Kim Taylor, 51, said she was not happy with how the election was handled as she also voted at the high school.

“I think we slammed more Hillary against Donald. There was just a lot of bish-bashing. We weren’t really talking politics,” Taylor said. “I’ve watched many elections and this one just really bothers me.”

As people filtered in and out of the high school, Lynne Myers, a volunteer for a grassroots, Democratic organization called Ohio Together, offered a stack of sample ballots to voters.

“I think this election is pretty insane. It’s like no other, in my opinion and my experience. It’s probably the most historic election that we’ve had just because of the tone and rancor that has been raised,” Myers said. “I am hoping for a positive outcome where we can all get back on track and work together to make things better for everybody.”

While Myers handed out ballots, Oxford resident Clayton Miller walked by and exclaimed, “I’m voting for Hillary!”

He admitted to being nervous about the outcome. "[This election] has been very tedious and acrimonious, and I’m just glad we’re coming to the end.”

Later in the day, Miami's Women and Gender Studies Department staged a His/Her/Hirstery Symposium, with presentations, talks and an archive room containing scrapbooks that documented women’s rights issues throughout history.

Ann Fuehrer, associate professor of global and intercultural studies, donned a handmade suffragist sash at the symposium. The wait to vote for a female president had finally ended for her.
“A lot of people voted early this time, but I wanted to wait till the [election] day,” Fuehrer said. “I went this morning at 7 to put my finger on the box. I wanted to have a visual of [voting for a woman president] on the day."
As she waited to see the final results of the election, Fuehrer said she was moved by the process.
“I’ve been teaching Women’s Studies classes for 30 years and to see the way the whole concept of who could be president changed with Barack Obama, I think I’m going to have to change my class a lot,” Fuehrer said. “And that’s a good thing.”
However, a resident who preferred not to be named, was not as excited about the potential of having a female president.
“I would not support Hillary Clinton. She will go down in history as the most corrupt person ever,” the Oxford resident of 40 years said.

Top photo: Local voters could buy Trump buttons and campaign stickers outside of the Bird House Antique Store, 114 W High St. -- Photo by Carleigh Turner