STEUBENVILLE — Come January, Jefferson County will have an all-Republican set of county commissioners.

Eric Timmons, who has served as Steubenville’s 3rd Ward councilman since 2016, defeated Democratic incumbent Tom Graham in Tuesday’s general election with about a 2,500-vote margin, garnering an unofficial 12,510 tallies to 9,992 for Graham.

Also in Jefferson County:

∫ Voters gave Republican incumbent E.J. Conn a second term as county auditor. Unofficially, Conn won 16,350 votes to 5,927 for his Democratic challenger, political newcomer Hardin Martin Jr.

∫ The city of Steubenville’s 5 mill operating levy was renewed. Unofficially tallies showed 3,250 for and 1,632 against renewing the levy, which has been in place since the mid-1960s.

Timmons, 46, said Tuesday evening his win “hasn’t sunk in yet, but I’m overwhelmed.”

“I don’t take it lightly, all the support,” Timmons said. “And I’m going to work just as hard as I do on City Council for the citizens of Jefferson County.”

He admits he was a little bit surprised, but figures the support he got from the Jefferson County Republican Party and his family turned the tide.

“I was going against a 20-year incumbent,” he said. “It’s really got to be one of the biggest upsets in county politics. But I think people are ready for a change, I’m excited to bring that.”

He also credited his campaign manager, Angelina Puorro, and media team for their efforts.

Timmons said he “worked hard, had a good plan and it came through.”

“I’m going to let it sink in, then talk to the current commissioners and just go from there,” Timmons said. “I’ll take it as it goes. I’m a fast learner and will get up to speed quickly, then we’ll get things changing for the citizens.”

He said Jefferson County needs to “keep our young talent in the area — they need to have those opportunities. We need to look at infrastructure and bring business here. We need good communication among all departments in the county, and work with the port authority. I want to use them more. There are some good ideas there and we need to pursue them.”

Late Tuesday, Graham, 67, said he wasn’t disappointed.

“I was willing to continue to serve the residents of Jefferson County but the people have spoken — they’ve made their choice and that’s fine by me. I’ve got lots of things to do,” said Graham, who’s been a commissioner for the past 20 years.

“I wish Mr. Timmons all the best in his new role as Jefferson County commissioner.”

Graham thanked his wife, Diane, “for dealing with everything you have to deal with, going through campaigns,” as well as the “people of Jefferson County for supporting me for the many years I’ve been commissioner.”

“And, for the sake of the taxpayers, if Mr. Timmons wants it, I will offer any help I can during the transition,” he said, adding that what stands out from his years at the hub of county government was “the professionalism of working with my two colleagues, and the previous commissioners we’ve had. It was a professional office, we ran it like a business, and I’m proud of that — the professionalism we all displayed as county commissioners. We ran it like a business — we always balanced the budget and generally have a surplus, we will again this year going into next. Political party didn’t matter much, we put that aside.”

Timmons will join a board of commissioners that includes Republicans Dave Maple and Tony Morelli.

∫ Conn, 40, said winning re-election as Jefferson County auditor gives him a chance to build on what’s he and his staff have been able to accomplish in his first four years in office.

“My office and I have worked really hard during the last four years to deliver on the promises I made during my first campaign — to make the office more transparent and more efficient, and make it easier to do business with the auditor’s office,” Conn said.

“During the next four years I want to focus on building upon the foundation we’ve been able to build, and continue to invest in technology, look for ways to operate the office more efficiently and cheaper. I believe in small government.”

Conn added the election “went really well, and I’m grateful and honored the residents and voters of Jefferson County elected me to another term.”

Martin, 51, said it would have been nice to win, “but it is what it is.”

“No, I don’t regret running,” Martin said. “It was a good experience — I learned a lot. There may be another run at some point in future, I don’t know.”

Martin wished Conn well, adding, “I’m just happy, thankful, for the votes I did receive.”

“I didn’t force my name out there, either. I didn’t take in donations in general, I wasn’t going for that. It was a learning experience for me. The only thing better can do is to do better next time.”

∫ Steubenville officials, meanwhile, were pleased with renewal of the city’s 5-mill operating levy, which will generate about $695,000 a year each of the next five years for operations.

Funds from the levy support general fund operations, including police and fire services as well as street and park maintenance, paying for the workers who provide the services.

City Finance Director Dave Lewis has said most of the revenue generated by the levy “goes toward wages in the police department and fire department.”

He said it’s critical to city services and directly affects staffing levels and services.