WESTON -- Lewis County commission candidate Bob Golden maintained his hold on the Democratic nomination, although a Tuesday recount narrowed his margin of victory from three to two votes.
Golden received 1,008 votes to opponent Michael Holden's 1,006, according to Mary Lou Myers, county clerk, who assisted sitting commissioners in the hours-long process.
Holden said Tuesday he does not plan to contest any of the votes, although he has 48 hours to do so.
The decision to contest the vote would most likely be based on issues such as ballots that may have been unsigned by a poll worker.
"I feel that the voters voted, no matter if they voted for me or for Robert Golden," Holden said. "I don't think that anyone should have that vote taken away because of a mistake."
Holden, a first-time candidate, thanked Golden and Republican incumbent Bob Conley for a clean campaign and said he hopes to run again in six years.
"Two votes is hard to swallow, but you swallow it and you get up in the morning and you go to work," the Lewis County school bus driver said.
Golden said he is also looking ahead.
"I'm glad it's over and I can move on now to the fall," Golden said.
The recount tally will become official on Thursday unless votes are contested, Myers said.
Regional editor Nora Edinger can be reached at 626-1403.
