Update: McGann Unofficial Winner after Recount for Enumclaw School Board Race

The numbers remain close but is the unofficial winner of the Enumclaw School Board Position No. 4 race, according to a King County Elections official Tuesday.

Prior to the hand recount that took place Monday, McGann had 3,151 votes (49.88 percent) over opponent 3,142 votes (49.94 percent). The recount gave McGann two additional votes while Peterson's tally remained the same, said spokesperson Kim van Ekstrom.

This brings the tally to 3,153 votes for McGann and 3,142 votes for Peterson.

"I am relieved," said McGann Tuesday afternoon. "It's been a long process and I'm happy it's over. I can move onto the next step now and jump into the position and start to go to board meetings and finally be involved."

Peterson expressed amazement at the close margin that remained even after the recount. "It really brings home that every vote counts," he said.

Of the election, "It was my first time running for public office and I didn't know what to expect going in. It was a lot more involved than I realized. In that respect, I wish I could have done more. ... But at the same time, that's the way the ball bounced."

For the future, supporters have also encouraged him to get involved in the Planning Commission in Black Diamond, he said, but he's looking to retire in the next year or so and would like to focus on doing that first. "Once I retire, if a position becomes open, I'd throw my hat into the ring and get more involved in local government."

Meanwhile, "I want to thank all those who assisted me in campaigning, getting the word out, talking to friends and neighbors, helping me put signs up, encouraged me. ... I'm very thankful to those folks and their dedication and trust and belief in me that I could do the job -- that if I was elected, I could make a difference."

The results remain unofficial until the canvassing board rules on the results this Friday, said van Ekstrom. While there's always the possibility the board will not accept the recount results, "we have no issue to take to them with this race," said van Ekstrom. "There's no reason to expect it won't be certified."