LaRoque asks for recount
By Matthew Whittle
Published in News on May 10, 2012 1:46 PM
Stephen LaRoque
John Bell IV
State Rep. Stephen LaRoque, who lost the GOP nomination for the House District 10 seat to political newcomer John Bell IV, has decided to ask for a recount -- after telling his opponent and saying publicly Tuesday night that he would not.
"I have had a lot of supporters ask me to do so ... because they think I have a chance of winning," LaRoque said.
But, he added, "I don't think it'll change the outcome."
Bell said he was surprised when he found out about LaRoque's change of heart Wednesday afternoon, but that he, too, doesn't think the election's results will change and that he is looking forward to running against Democrat James Hardison of Kinston in November.
"I think the results are going to stand," Bell said. "When I talked with Stephen on Tuesday night and he congratulated me on winning the election, he said he would not do a recount, but of course he has every right to request one.
"Right now, though, my campaign is focused on November and winning the general election."
Bell won Tuesday's primary by 54 votes -- 3,877 (50.35 percent) to 3,823 (49.65 percent).
The request for a recount must be made to the state Board of Elections, though the actual re-tallying of the ballots will be done in each county -- Wayne, Lenoir, Greene and Craven -- prior to canvass on May 15.
The election's results are not official until the canvass process is complete.