[Cross-Posted at DLCC.org]
There must have a been a moment during this year’s campaign when Democrat Sarah Buxton, at the end of a long day knocking on doors or calling potential voters, told herself “I’ll keep going today until I talk to one more voter.”
She must also be very glad she did, because Buxton has now won by just a single vote:
Democrat Sarah Buxton exited the Superior Court in Woodstock to applause after being declared the official representative-elect of the Royalton-Tunbridge district. The race was separated by just one vote the day after the election– and it was still not decided after Monday's recount.
“I feel like we can toast tonight with some degree of surety that it's finally the end,” Buxton said Tuesday.
The ruling was made by Judge Katherine Hayes, who determined Tuesday that the last recount ballot in question was clearly intended for Buxton, giving her a one-vote lead over Republican David Ainsworth– and therefore making her the winner of the election.
“It is important for me to remember that I only won by one vote and I will keep that in mind throughout my entire term because I have to appeal to the 880 other people who didn't vote for me,” Buxton said.
This race was initially tied on Election Night, but the recount shows Representative-Elect Buxton has defeated the Republican incumbent in this district.
Her GOP opponent has ten days following Judge Hayes’ ruling to file an appeal.
WPTZ News sat down with Buxton during the recount to discuss the lesson every eligible voter should draw from the result.