Recount completed — McHenry win confirmed

State Rep. Patrick McHenry was officially declared the winner of the Aug. 17 runoff election after a district-wide recount was completed Wednesday.
McHenry received 15,015 votes to defeat Catawba County Sheriff David Huffman and claim the Republican nomination for the U.S. Congress’s 10th district. Huffman received 14,930 votes, just 85 behind McHenry.
McHenry will face Democrat Anne Fischer of Morganton in November.
The recount held Wednesday in Lincoln County gave Huffman two extra votes and kept McHenry’s total the same, according to Board of Elections Director Judy Caudill.
After unofficial results from the Aug. 17 runoff were released, McHenry led Huffman in Lincoln County by 300 votes.
When votes were canvassed Aug. 24, the margin dropped to 299.
The recount brought Huffman’s total to 1,189 and McHenry’s to 1,1486.
Huffman officially conceded the race Wednesday.
“Today I officially concede the race for Congress but remain loyal to the ideals of a country with stronger family values, a world free from terror and a nation in which everyone has a good job and food on their table,” Huffman said in a news release.
“The outcome of the election comes with great sadness and regret because of the hard work of thousands who supported our campaign.”
McHenry thanked county boards of elections for their work during the initial canvass and recount in a news release Wednesday.
“Although we knew the recount would not change the result, my entire campaign thanks the county boards and their staff for ensuring that every vote counted in this election.”
McHenry commended Huffman and his supporters for a hard-fought race and urged Republicans to unite as the November general election approaches.
“This contest came right down to the line, and I appreciate the dedication that Sheriff Huffman and his supporters brought to the race,” McHenry said. “Now we must work together to unite the Republican Party behind President Bush as we march toward November.”by Alice Smith