Jerry Daniels, Humboldt, was named the winner in the closest primary election in Allen County Commission history.
Daniels’ name was picked in a blind drawing after separate counts revealed Daniels was tied with Jim Mueller of Moran in the Aug. 5 Republican Primary.
When provisional ballots were counted Monday morning, they were tacked on to those ballots counted by election machines the night of the primary, putting both candidates with 255 votes.
A hand recount followed, giving the same 255-255 split.
That led to the drawing. Small scraps of paper were placed in an empty bowl. Daniels’ name was chosen at random by County Commission Chairman Jim Talkington.
Mueller said he was not going to seek a second recount, calling such an exercise “a waste of money.”
As the Republican candidate, Daniels is virtually assured of replacing the outgoing Dick Works in January. There are no Democrats running for the seat.
Daniels told the Register after he was declared the winner that he planned to immerse himself in issues facing the County Commission this fall, to ensure a smooth transition in January.
