After a recount of ballots in the Horace, N.D., mayor's race, Perry Ronning was still one vote short.
A Cass County review of the contest confirmed the results from the June 8 election, when challenger John Goerger edged out incumbent Ronning 144-143.
That one-vote margin of victory was slim enough to trigger an automatic recount.
Auditors from Fargo, West Fargo and Cass County performed the review Thursday morning, sorting by hand all ballots from the Horace district.
Besides the votes for Goerger and Ronning, there were also two write-in votes for other candidates and two valid ballots with no votes in the race.
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The candidates shook hands after the results were announced and Ronning congratulated Goerger. Both said the race hadn't created any hard feelings.
Ronning said he wasn't surprised the race results weren't overturned because the county generally does a good job tabulating votes.
"The only way I felt it could change is if they missed an absentee ballot," said Ronning, who teaches at Fargo South High School.
Goerger, a home builder, will be sworn in June 28.
During his time as mayor, Goerger wants to focus on managing the growth that will inevitably come to the town, he said.
"A lot of people in the business community want changes in Horace," he said.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Joy Anderson at (701) 241-5556
