"It's official: Weller beats Sorensen for Pullman council seat; Incumbent seeks recount after challenger wins by nine votes"

The recount in the Ward 2 Pullman City Council election will be tomorrow, which is two days before Nathan's 26th birthday on December 7 (significant, because if you remember, Nathan's grandfather was a WWII Pacific vet.)

From last Wednesday's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:

Challenger Nathan Weller narrowly defeated incumbent Al Sorensen in the race for a seat on the Pullman City Council.

Whitman County Elections Supervisor Debbie Hooper said Weller won the Ward 2 seat with 279 votes, compared to 270 for Sorensen. The final votes were tabulated Tuesday, when election results were certified by Whitman County officials.

Weller, who turns 26 next week, said he's pleased with the outcome.

"Right now, it's still sinking in. I just feel humbled that I am in the situation that I am," he said. "I'm encouraged, but more than anything else, I'm humbled. My family, my friends, my supporters - everyone came out in support. We did exactly what we wanted to do: We stuck to the issues and we reached everyone we wanted to."

Sorensen - who was appointed to replace Sue Hinz in 2005 and was elected to the position in 2006 - said he is frustrated by the results.

"I'm actually surprised at the final outcome. Nathan was able to obtain more votes than me and he was able to win the election," he said.

Sorensen said he's requested a recount, which will take place Dec. 5. He must pay for the recount, at a cost of 25 cents per ballot.

"The election is over. The counting - so far - is over. But my letter requesting a manual recount is on its way to the county auditor's office," he said.

If the recount shows Weller to be the official winner, Sorensen said he expects him to do right by the residents of Pullman and serve them well.

"I hope that Nathan is able to contribute to city government over his four-year term," he said.

"I feel like I had a lot more to give to the city and the residents of Pullman, and I wasn't ready to end that. And I'm still not ready to end that," Sorensen added. "I plan to still play a role in city government. I'm not completely going away; I'm going to be involved some way."

Weller, an employee at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories in Pullman, expressed his appreciation to the voters who elected him and said although the results were split resident must now unite.

"It doesn't matter who supported who ... We're all in this together," he said. "We're one community. Communication is paramount to any success that may come in Pullman. I feel that it's important to unify the community and we should be communicating even more now."