Published: May 21, 2008 11:56 am      

Mineral County Commission challenger asks for vote recount

KEYSER, W.Va. - Roger Leatherman, who missed the Republican nomination for Mineral County Commission by only two votes, has requested a recount.

County Clerk Lauren Ellifritz said late Tuesday afternoon that Leatherman, who finished the primary election just two votes behind incumbent Janice LaRue, "officially requested a recount this morning."

He had until 11:30 p.m. Tuesday to submit his formal request, according to West Virginia election law.

Ellifritz now has 24 hours to notify the candidates, and they have 24 hours to reply.

"Then we're going to have to wait because of the holiday," she said, noting that the county's other two commissioners had made plans for the Memorial Day week and would not be available for a recount until June 2.

"That's the earliest we can do it," she said, noting that the date has not yet been confirmed.

In Hampshire County, a recount of the ballots in the Democratic race for the 50th House of Delegates District has been set for May 30, according to County Clerk Sharon Link.

Mitch Davis, who finished just 17 votes behind nominee Royce Saville, also requested a recount Tuesday.

The winner of that race will face incumbent Ruth Rowan in November.

In Mineral County, the difficulty in setting an earlier date for the recount was heightened because LaRue is one of the candidates in question and cannot participate in the process. Commissioners Cindy Pyles and Wayne Spiggle will both have to be present so there will be a quorum.

LaRue finished five votes ahead of Leatherman on the night of the election, with 1,102 votes to Leatherman's 1,097. The third Republican candidate, Annette Favara, trailed with 834 votes.

Once the 30 Republican provisional ballots were counted during the official canvass Friday, however, the gap was narrowed to a mere two votes.

Ellifritz called it the closest race she could remember since she has been working with elections in Mineral County.

The winner of the Republican nomination will face Democrat Donald C. Ashby in the general election in November.

Uncontested on his party's ballot, Ashby finished with 3,058 votes.

Contact Liz Beavers at lbeavers@times-news.com.