Republican Narrowly Leads In Ohio Special Election; Final Count Possibly Weeks Away

Democrat Danny O’Connor, the Franklin County recorder, center, speaks to volunteers and supporters at his campaign headquarters on Tuesday.

John Minchillo / AP

Updated at 8:26 a.m. ET

Republican Troy Balderson held a narrow lead over Democrat Danny O’Connor in a hotly-contested Ohio special congressional election, with outstanding provisional and absentee ballots still to be counted.

Even if Balderson secures victory in the end, the result is sending the GOP warning signs for what’s to come in November.