Sheriff’s race is too close to call
Bower has slight lead; Absentees will be counted Tuesday
Too close to call. After more than 3,000 Republicans voted in a primary today for sheriff, neither Randy Bower or Tom Drennan can claim victory.
Bower received 1,588 votes for a slight lead over Drennan with 1,561.
The Board of Elections reported it sent out 233 absentee ballots, with 157 returned. Election Commissioner Dennis Piedimonte said he expects some more will come in the next few days. The absentees will be opened at 9 a.m. on Tuesday.
Regardless who wins the primary, both candidates will be on the Nov. 3 ballot. Bower, a dispatcher the past 29 years, has been endorsed by the Conservative Party. Drennan, the chief deputy in the Sheriff’s Office, has the Independence and Reform Party lines.
Former Medina police investigator Don Organisciak has the Democratic Party backing, making it a three-man race to succeed Scott Hess, who is retiring as sheriff on Dec. 31.
