Local News

HAMILTON — Butler County has turned blue.

Primary election results show there are now considerably more Democrats registered in the county, according to the Butler County Board of Elections.

Of the ballots requested Tuesday, March 4, 48,991 were for Democrat, and 39,747 for Republican, according to the BOE. Before the primary, there were 45,711 registered Republicans and 21,640 Democrats

"Usually Republicans outnumber Democrats by 2 to 1," in the county, McGary said. "We won't know exactly how many switched over until we are able to certify results as official."

Marilyn Hatfield, an associate judge in Ward 3, precinct 3 at Christ United Methodist Church in Middletown, said she's seen more Democrats than normal in the precinct, which is usually heavily Republican.

"Several people said they were pulling Democratic ballots because of what Rush Limbaugh said," Hatfield said.

Limbaugh said Friday, Feb. 29, on the O'Reilly Factor that the battle between Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama was "too good a soap opera" and that Clinton needed to stay in the race as long as possible to damage Obama politically in a way McCain would not.

Staff Writers Ed Richter and Josh Sweigart contributed to this report.