State Rep. Gail Pavliga

Ohio Reps. Gail Pavliga of Portage County and Brett Hillyer of Tuscarawas County lost their primaries Tuesday. They're part of a group of about two dozen incumbents targeted by the state GOP for supporting Ohio Rep. Jason Stephens in the House Speaker vote.

State Reps. Gail Pavliga and Sharon Ray are two of nearly two dozen incumbent Republicans the state GOP declined to endorse this year.

The newly passed two year state budget boasts many benefits for Portage County, including new tax credits for affordable housing and funding for a crisis stabilization center.

Pavliga was reelected last week to represent Portage County in the Ohio House.

The seat went red in 2020 after being a Democratic stronghold for several years.