It was a dead heat on election night, Nov. 3, for incumbent Mayor Jack Clarke — in office only six months — and his predecessor, former Mayor Bill Shearon — ousted during his first term by Clarke.
The announcement first came on election night that Shearon won by one vote. Later, after addressing two provisional votes, the election office said the race was a tie.
The two candidates met at Supervisor of Elections Mike Bennett’s office at 1:30 p.m. today for a recount, first by machine and then a manual count by Bennett along with the two other members of the city canvassing board.
The race remained tied.
And out came the deck of cards for a final winner-take-all draw.
Clarke cut first and drew a 10 of clubs.
Shearon drew the ace of clubs, and he will take the mayor’s seat after a swearing-in ceremony at city hall — to be announced.