Republican Kevin Payne (right), who held his seat unopposed as tax commissioner, congratulates Democrat Barbara Penson, clerk of superior court, on her win at her election party at Mellow Mushroom, November 6, 2012. (Brittany Hannah/RN-T)
Democrat Barbara Penson, the incumbent, was the winner once again over Republican Mark McAllister, winning by 25 votes.
Georgia law allows candidates to ask for a recount if the difference between two candidates is less than 1 percent.
Billups said late Wednesday that she was still waiting to get the official tally because of some problems with the voting machines, but technical support should have solved the problem by late Wednesday night.
Penson had 15,578 votes to McAllister’s 15,553 votes after the provisional ballots were counted on Friday. Those numbers would be the same, Billups said.
“I’m very relieved,” Penson said from Savannah, where she is attending a conference for court clerks. “I haven’t lost any sleep over it, but it’s still very stressful.”
McAllister said, “The people have spoken and I accept it.”
He said he doesn’t expect to run for office again but didn’t rule out the possibility.
Penson will begin her second term in office in January. She won her first term in 2008 after defeating John Harkins in the Democrat primary after long-time clerk Joe Johnston retired.
They have worked tirelessly to put the property books on computer. This is just one of many changes Barbara has brought to the office.
She and her staff have done a great job for the people of Floyd County.