Political newcomer Gebhard wins in landslide for state Senate seat
And after a special election held Tuesday, that hasn't changed.
Political newcomer and Lebanon resident Chris Gebhard, president and CEO of insurance firm Hoaster Gebhard and Co., has a sizable lead on the other three candidates. He received 30,124 votes — 62.33% — and more than 15,000 more than his next closest competitor, Democrat Chris Clements.
In an interview Wednesday, Gebhard said he was deeply honored by the support.
"It was overwhelming favorable in our direction, and as a complete newcomer to this process, that was pretty cool to me," he said. "I'd never run for anything, my name was never on any ballot, and to go through that process the first time and have that percentage of people came out in favor of me was awesome and humbling."