By J. Patrick Pepper
Times-Herald Newspapers
HEIGHTS — A recount of August’s City Council primary added four votes for Robert Yahrmatter, but still was two votes short of earning him a spot in the general election. Facing off for the seat will be top primary vote-getter Ned Apigian and second-place finisher Kathleen Abdel-Hak.
The recount, which included all 36 city precincts and was filed by Yahrmatter, was conducted Sept. 1 by the Wayne County Board of Canvassers and certified the next day. With 1,828 votes, Abdel-Hak’s primary total was three better than Yahrmatter’s 1,825. But the paper-thin margin tightened in the recount, with Abdel-Hak gaining two votes to the four picked up by Yahrmatter.
Abdel-Hak said Thursday she was thrilled – and slightly surprised – by the recount results.
“I wasn’t expecting the change (to the vote totals), but one vote is better than losing,” she said. “But it’s definitely a message to everybody who thinks their vote doesn’t count. One vote makes a difference.”