11/20/12 — Wayne County Commissioners race will stand

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Wayne County Commissioners race will stand

By Steve Herring
Published in News on November 20, 2012 2:18 PM

Wayne County at-large Commissioner Dr. Sandra McCullen said Monday afternoon she would not ask for a recount in her close Election Day loss.

Mrs. McCullen, a Democrat, of Dudley, lost her re-election bid to Republican Wayne Aycock of Pikeville, 25,367 votes (50.38 percent) to 24,980 (49.62 percent).

Since the difference was less than one percent, Mrs. McCullen could have asked for the recount.

Monday at 5 p.m. was the deadline to ask the Wayne County Board of Elections, but Mrs. McCullen let the deadline pass without filing.

"I just think it best for the entire county to move on with what the voters voted for," she said. "I wish the best for Wayne Aycock and the other commissioners. It has been a pleasure to serve, and I will continue to serve. I want to thank my family and friends and supporters."

Aycock was one of five Republicans elected Nov. 6 to give the GOP a 5-2 majority and the first control of the board since Reconstruction.

State law prescribes that newly elected commissioners be sworn in on the first Monday in December following the election. However, the board, at the request of its Republican members, this morning were to discuss rescheduling the ceremony until Tuesday, Dec. 4.