BLACKSBURG, Va. – Update:
Pete Macedo, candidate for Blacksburg mayor, has announced that he is pursuing a recount in his race against Michael Sutphin.
This comes after Vice Mayor Michael Sutphin defeated Pete Macedo by a margin of only 18 votes. Macedo took to Facebook on Friday, explaining that a recount is a court process that cannot begin until the Elections Board officially certifies the votes.
“Doing a recount is a court process that, of course, requires a lawyer — or at least it’s a really good idea to use a lawyer instead of representing yourself," he explained. “There aren’t a lot of election lawyers in town or in the area, and it is a very expensive process. Just getting the lawyer is expensive. The count itself is paid for by the locality, but the lawyer and all the legal fees go to the candidate making the challenge.”
He added that while he is pursuing a recount, he wants to ensure it is done properly so community members can have their voices heard.
Mayor-elect Michael Sutphin stated that as of Monday morning, Macedo has not yet officially requested the recount.
“I just checked with the Montgomery County Office of Elections, and Pete has not requested a recount,” Sutphin told 10 News. “He has until November 24 to do so. I know that he has posted a video indicating that he is considering a recount, but as of this morning, he has not filed the required petition to do so.”
Montgomery County General Registrar Connie Viar said the votes in this race have been certified since Friday and that Macedo has not requested a recount through the circuit court.
We will continue to update this article as we learn more.
Update:
After more than a week of speculation about who would be named mayor of Blacksburg, the results are finally in. Vice Mayor Michael Sutphin has defeated Pete Macedo by a margin of only 18 votes.
“I’ve run for office several other times before, but never have I been in a race that was this close,” Sutphin said. “Eighteen is a very close election, not just by Blacksburg standards but by any standards.”
“I knew it was going to be close,” Macedo said. “I hoped it wasn’t going to be this close, mostly because I would’ve liked to have an answer on Tuesday.”
On Tuesday, Nov. 11, Macedo led Sutphin by 31 votes. Election officials finished tallying the remaining provisional ballots Wednesday, and the results were just enough to give Sutphin the lead.
“A lot of the last ballots that came in were provisional ballots,” Sutphin said. “Most of them were from Virginia Tech students, who supported my campaign, so I’m very thankful for that.”
“I do think it’s wonderful that having this many provisional ballots submitted has really been a success in the effort to get people to vote where they live,” Macedo said.
More than 2,000 provisional ballots were cast. Sutphin’s victory extends an 82-year streak of Blacksburg mayors who were elected after first serving on Town Council. The only newcomer to Blacksburg leadership is Town Council member-elect Darryl Campbell.
“I’m glad that I can be that new idea generator for the town,” Campbell said. “I think I’ll take community leadership in a different path than some other towns have. I want to really be a connector for people in the community.”
10 News reached out to candidate Macedo, asking if he intended to request a recount, but we have not received a response. 10 News will keep you updated as this story develops.
Original:
Michael Sutphin has won the race to decide the next Mayor of Blacksburg after just 46 votes separated him from his challenger Peter Macedo Thursday Nov. 6. according to the Board of Elections in the Town of Blacksburg.
According to the Board of Elections for the Town of Blacksburg, Sutphin led Macedo by 18 votes with all precincts reporting.
Sutphin received 5,573 votes to Macedo’s 5,555. 10 News will have more on this story Wednesday night at 11 p.m.