WATSON -- A one-vote difference in the mayor's race led to a recount in Watson, but the results of the Nov. 2 election stayed the same.
The recount conducted Monday showed Debra Birdsall as the new mayor with 43 votes over Robert Buchanan with 42 votes. Buchanan had filed for the office and his name was on the ballot, while Birdsall had not filed but was the recipient of write-in votes.
Buchanan had requested the recount. Buchanan said he wished the new mayor success and said he was hopeful that she would do a good job.
Birdsall said she had not sought the office and her election came as a surprise, but she is willing to take on the duties of mayor. She will succeed Todd Vogel, who had been appointed by the council to serve as the acting mayor.
Only the votes in the mayor's race were recounted.
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The city also saw a close election for council positions, with Joe Rongstad and Marian Raffelson elected to the two two-year terms on the council with 49 and 42 votes, respectively. Rongstad was elected by write-in. Candidates Daniel Buchanan and David Joslin each had 39 votes. Joslin was a write-in candidate.
Voters elected Tina Buseman and Steven Schoep to the two four-year terms on the council with 51 and 46 votes, respectively. Buseman was elected by write-in. Shahnaz Ansari collected 38 votes in her first bid for office.
