Rutland Herald: Rutland Vermont News & Information:
BURLINGTON — A recount in the Nov. 7 election for Vermont state auditor concluded Monday, showing Democrat Thomas M. Salmon won by the closest of margins, apparently overturning the re-election of incumbent Auditor Randy Brock.Salmon, who lost by 137 votes in Election Day balloting, ended up prevailing by 104 votes in the two-week-long recount, in which more than 250,000 ballots were counted by hand in the state's 14 counties. The results have yet to be certified.
Salmon, the son of a former governor, finished with 111,741 votes, compared with 111,637 for Brock, according to vote totals released by county clerks and tabulated by The Associated Press.
The outcome won't be official until Thursday, at the earliest. Washington County Superior Court Judge Mary Miles Teachout must certify the recount after the paperwork is forwarded to the state capital in Montpelier. The soonest a hearing could be held is Thursday, according to a court clerk.
"I'm humbled by the news," said Salmon, who was nonetheless reluctant to declare victory.
"I'm excited for an opportunity to serve Vermont with full commitment," he said. "But I think to declare victory would not be prudent because we're not there yet."
Brock wasn't ready to embrace the results, yet, either. "This race has already shown how unwise it is to make a statement on the basis of unofficial results," he said, noting that it was unknown how many questionable ballots might still change the totals.
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