By RYAN LANCASTER
Staff Reporter
A two-vote margin stayed put in the Airway Heights mayoral race after last week's hand recount confirmed challenger Patrick Rushing won 281 votes to 279 over incumbent Matthew Pederson.
Thirty-three voters in the city chose to leave the space blank rather than choose a candidate for the top spot, which was listed as Council Chair Position 1 on the ballot.
Pederson said he called Rushing last week to congratulate him and offer his assistance in the future, adding that the recount process was heartening. “It was good to see the system's accuracy – all the numbers were right on count,” he said.
Rushing said he's “thrilled” with the outcome as well as the process itself. “The verification of the ballots by hand count proves that the system works,” he said. “I don't think anybody should have to worry about where their vote goes.”
Rushing said he was unable to view the recount himself last Monday because he was in surgery to remove his tonsils due to cancer. The operation went well and doctors were able to remove the entire tumor, he said, adding that he'll start radiation treatments soon. “The prognosis is good; in three weeks or so I'll be at 100 percent,” he said.
No recount was needed to decide the other contested council race in Airway Heights, Rushing's former Position 2 seat, although the results were also close. Steven Lawrence eked out an 11-ballot win over Barron Williamson, 245 votes to 234.
“I thought he had it for sure there until the end,” Lawrence said of his opponent. “I'm impressed with how close both the races were and I'm just glad the people of Airway Heights chose me.”
Lawrence is the husband of Position 3 Councilwoman Charlotte Lawrence, whose term expires in 2011. He said he and his wife have worked well together a number of times in the past and he can foresee no problems arising from their joint service on the council.
Washington state law agrees with him; nowhere does it prohibit a husband and wife from serving on city council at the same time. Airway Heights city attorney Stanley Schwartz said that while the circumstances themselves don't create any inherent conflict of interest issues, he's mindful of the risks.
“It's a unique situation,” he said. “I'll certainly be looking at this carefully as I'll have to advise the council if any issues arise.”
Ryan Lancaster can be reached at [email protected].
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