Peterson unofficial winner in Perry runoff – Board of Elections foresees recount

The Perry District 2 Post 2 runoff election culminated in a 4-vote difference between the two remaining candidates. In September, four Perry residents threw their hats in the ring for one seat and after five months of campaigning, it all came down to a 1% difference.

The final results of Tuesday’s election were posted in the Houston County Board of Elections Office around 8 p.m. The Board of Elections office will send the results to the Secretary of State’s Office and await certification for the numbers, but Debra Presswood, election supervisor, said a recount is definitely on the horizon.

Council candidate Joy Peterson finished only inches ahead of her opponent, John “Jack” James­–making her the unofficial winner for Post 2 with 203 (%50.50) votes over James’ 199 (%49.50), which according to Presswood, would automatically trigger a recount. After beating out two other candidates and landing a 14-vote lead in the Nov. 5 election, Peterson says her campaign journey was not at all what she expected. However, she says her focus is more so centered on what’s best for the city. “I just wanted to be on council to work for Perry.”

According to Presswood, the recount, if called for, would ensure the initial count was 100% correct and, if so, would confirm Peterson as the clear winner. “If this gets resolved in that way, I’m going to be happy about that and I’m gonna go about doing what I started out wanting to do–just show up for the council meeting and get to work for Perry,” Peterson said.

James remains positive about the election and ensures he would continue pushing the same key campaign points he started out with: communication, housing revitalization and financial responsibility. His campaign slogan over the past five months remains: protect Perry’s past, while preserving its future. “I will continue to push for my ideas,” he said. “My family and I remain Perry residents, believe in the city and will continue to strive for improvements.”

Presswood says the fate of the election now lies in the hands of the Secretary of State’s Office and official decision/next step won’t come until the state provides further instruction.