Recount Underway in San Angelo for Commissioner and Constable Races

SAN ANGELO, TX – A vote recount will be initiated for two closely contested races from the March 5 Primary election in Tom Green County. 

The races under scrutiny include the Precinct One Commissioner seat, contested between incumbent Ralph Hoelscher and Michele DeRusso, and the Precinct Four Constable race between Thomas Bigham and Gary Cole.

The decision for a recount follows narrow margins in the initial vote tallies. 

In the constable race, Bigham led with 1,880 votes, narrowly beating Cole by an 85-vote margin, who secured 1,795 votes. 

The commissioner's race saw an even tighter contest, with Hoelscher receiving 862 votes to DeRusso's 861, marking a rare occurrence of a one-vote difference.

Bruce Burkett, Tom Green County Republican Party Chairman, outlined the recount process, emphasizing the requirement for organized "voting teams" consisting of a chair, two counters, and a caller. 

Three teams will conduct the recount for the commissioner’s race, while four teams will conduct the recount for the constable race.

Candidates requesting a recount are required to submit a deposit, calculated based on the number of precincts plus one to cover all early voting precincts. 

Consequently, DeRusso's deposit is $1,000, and the constable race recount fee is $1,100. 

This fee is refunded to the challenger if the recount results in a win, with the funds being used to compensate recount staff. 

Additional funds may be required if the initial deposit is insufficient to cover recount expenses, whereas any excess will be refunded.

Burkett, who has never witnessed a one-vote difference in an election, described the situation as "unheard of." 

If the initial vote counts are altered, the outcome of the recount will determine whether parts of the election need to be recanvassed. Burkett canvassed the election results today, March 14 at 2 p.m. 

Official forms for the recount submission are due by the 19th at 5 p.m. 

The recount for the commissioners' race is scheduled for next Thursday at 9 a.m., with the constable race recount set for the 22nd.