Vance commissioners race comes down to 10 votes
May 19—HENDERSON — Challenger Sean Alston Sr. celebrated what he viewed as a victory Wednesday morning following Tuesday's Vance County Board of Commissioners race, while incumbent Gordon Wilder expressed his interest for a recount to the Vance County Board of Elections.
The unofficial margin in the District 3 Democratic race was 270-260 (50.94% to 49.06%) in favor of Alston, who stands to win political office for the first time.
The votes won't become official until canvassing is completed May 27, and Wilder would have to make an official request for a recount, in writing, to the Board of Elections by the end of May.
"If I got beat, I got beat," Wilder said, "but I want to make sure I got beat."
"Wow" best described the emotions Alston felt the day after the race, he said, which has him ahead of Wilder, who hadn't faced opposition since he was initially elected in 2010.
"It's amazing," Alston said. "I'm at a loss for words. I'm thankful. It's time for a change."
Alston attributed his success at the polls to communication with potential voters, going to churches, knocking on doors, and making himself available to the community.
Alston said if officially elected, he must be an advocate for his constituents and that he has to be "who I say I'm going to be," referring to his campaign platform.
If the result holds, Wilder said it won't be "the end of the world" for him and that he would feel like God had something else in mind for him to do.
Other local resultsVANCE COUNTY CLERK OF SUPERIOR COURT — DEM
Henry Gupton 52.56%
Amanda Burnette 47.44%
