Count favors challenger in Campbell council race

A defeated Campbell
council member didn’t rule out running for election again.

By ANGIE SCHMITT

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

CAMPBELL — Provisional and absentee ballot counts have delivered an upset in the 4th Ward city council race.

The addition of 14 votes boosted challenger Juanita Rich to a three-vote lead over incumbent Lewis Jackson Jr. Unofficial results, released late Nov. 6, had showed Jackson leading Rich by one vote.

As a result of the slim margin of victory, votes not entered through an electronic voting machine will be subject to automatic recount, according to Mahoning County Board of Elections officials.

But Jackson doesn’t expect future tallies to return him to the lead. Since the advent of electronic voting machines in Ohio, recounts involve only the physical recounting of provision and absentee ballots, which make up a small fraction of the total.

Jackson, who has served on council since 1999, said the narrow defeat is disappointing.

“We have so many things going on in the city that’s really positive,” said Jackson, 63. “I really wanted to stick around and watch things happen.”

But the retired steelworker plans to remain active in city affairs.

“I’m going to continue to work with the city and work with the mayor,” Jackson said. “I’m pretty close to the projects that the mayor has going on in the brownfield area.”

He did not rule out the possibility of another run for office.

Rich could not be reached for comment.

The provisional and absentee ballots failed to change the outcome of three other tight Mahoning County races.

Mary H. McNatt remains ahead of incumbent Eric Augustein by seven votes in the Beloit mayoral race.

Todd J. Jones maintains an eight-vote lead over Michael J. Sabatine in the Sebring board of education race.

Robert Shovlin remains the likely candidate for the third Poland Board of Education seat. He is trailed by Jim Lavorini by eight votes. An automatic recount will be conducted in that race as well.

aschmitt@vindy.com