BRUNSWICK RECOUNT: Alt defeats Hatem in mayor race, Ocean Isle Beach, Bald Head Island races also decided
BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — There is a new mayor in Southport.
During a hand recount on Tuesday, Rich Alt picked up two more votes, beating incumbent Joe Pat Hatem 841-839. Hatem requested a recount after vote canvassing on November 17 determined Hatem lost the mayor’s race by one vote to Alt, 840 to 839.
“I feel relieved, I feel relieved. I feel humble because a lot of people supported me through this and there’s a lot of people who did not, who supported my opponent, and I’m going to reach out to them and see how we find common ground to move forward with all the projects we have,” Alt said after the recount.
The recount took several hours to complete and it was overseen by the Brunswick County Board of Election. Mayor Elect Rich Alt said he is ready to get to work
“Bringing some more modern business practice to the city government, reasonable development and project management. Getting the projects off the sheet of 41 and get them completed.”
Current Southport Mayor Joe Pat Hatem can request a hand-eye recount by 2pm Wednesday afternoon. We reached out to Mayor Hatem, who declined to comment right now.
Two election races that were tied following the November 7 election have also been decided.
During Tuesday’s Brunswick Board of Elections meeting, the names of tied candidates in the Ocean Isle Beach Commissioners race and the Village of Bald Head Island Council race were placed in a hat, and the board chair drew a name. The draw was held in accordance with North Carolina GS 163-292– in case of a tie, the board will determine the winner by lot.
Virginia White was determined the winner of the second Bald Head Island council seat.
David Green was determined the winner of the third seat on Ocean Isle Beach Commissioners.
White and Jerry Maggio and White were tied with 102 votes each for the Bald Head Island seat. Green and Stephen S. Turner were tied with 219 votes each for the third Ocean Isle Beach Commissioner seat.
The board of elections also approved an election protest filed by Sandy Creek Town Council winner Nate Youngs. Youngs is disputing the mayoral race, claiming winner Mel Miller did not disclose her felony records. A hearing for that protest will be held next month.
Members of the public can attend in person at the Board of Elections office or watch via Zoom. No registration or passcode is required.
