Rep. Michael Rulli, R-Ohio, left, watches during his ceremonial swearing-in on Capitol Hill Tuesday, June 25, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)

YOUNGSTOWN — The rematch between U.S. Rep. Michael Rulli and Michael L. Kripchak in the 6th Congressional District was nowhere near as close as the special June 11 election with the incumbent Republican running away with the victory.

Rulli, R-Salem, beat Kripchak 66% to 34%, according to unofficial results Tuesday.

Rulli beat Kripchak by 9.3% in the June 11 election for the seat vacated in January by Republican Bill Johnson. Johnson resigned to be Youngstown State University president.

“I’m very thrilled with the win,” Rulli said. “A lot of people were disappointed that the majority in the special election wasn’t as much as they hoped. I did a lot of grassroots campaigning in this election. We got out and attended any little function so people could see who I am. I’m very happy with the results. I represent everybody and always will.”

Rulli said he’s been meeting with various business leaders in the district because the federal government “should play a role in helping businesses.”

Also, Rulli said he wants to be “the bridge between local, state and federal governments” and can achieve that because of his six years in the state Senate.

“If the local or state governments need help on the federal level, I want to be that liaison and move the 6th District forward,” he said.

The 6th District includes all of Mahoning, Columbiana, Carroll, Jefferson, Belmont, Harrison, Monroe, Noble and Washington counties and portions of Stark and Tuscarawas counties.

Rulli won all 11 counties in the district Tuesday.

In the June 11 election, he won nine, with Kripchak victorious in Mahoning, which is the district’s most populous county, and Tuscarawas.

The district has an 18% advantage for Republicans based on voting results in partisan statewide elections over the past decade.

Rulli had a significant campaign fundraising advantage over Kripchak.