Jack Yost has won the Democratic nod in the state Senate race Tuesday with 10,657 votes for 53 percent of the vote.

The challenger, Shane Mallett, received 9,282 votes for 47 percent.

The race was marred by controversy as one of the candidates was accused of stealing his opponent’s political signs.

The Ohio County Prosecutor Scott Smith stepped aside from the case, citing a personal friendship with both candidates, according to court documents.

According to police reports, a theft involving political signs happened April 19 around 7 p.m. in the North Park area.

Although police did not provide any information as to which candidate was accused of taking the signs, Mallett released a statement that said a criminal report had been filed regarding the theft of his signs based on information from two witnesses.

Yost said he was unaware of any charges against him and called the report “a political tactic.”

The accused candidate could face charges of petit larceny or destruction of property charges.