AUBURN — A recount of the mayoral election confirmed that Jason Levesque squeaked out a win over Adam Lee.

Levesque’s initial lead of just six votes doubled to 12 after a more than six-hour recount Tuesday at Auburn Hall.

Lee conceded the race at about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. The tally showed Levesque winning 3,628 to 3,616.

“Democracy is a beautiful thing,” Levesque said via phone call after the results were confirmed.

He said he wasn’t expecting the tally to take a major swing one way or the other during the recount, but that he’s glad the recount took place. Lee requested the recount two days after the Nov. 7 election after one of the closest mayoral races in city history.

“I’m glad that Adam did this. I think it eliminates any doubt in anyone’s mind,” Levesque said.

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A few minutes after the recount was completed, Lee issued a statement over social media.

“I will not be Auburn’s next mayor,” he wrote. “I congratulate Jason and earnestly offer my services and support. I love this community. And while I will not be mayor, I will remain involved and engaged. I appreciate all who volunteered for, donated to, supported, and voted for my campaign. We stayed positive and issues oriented. We worked hard. I am proud of that.

“At the end of the day, the most important part of our government is not the elected officials, rather it’s the residents who elect them. It is our collective responsibility as residents to hold our elected officials responsible. Increased public engagement and the drive to restore trust and transparency to Auburn Hall were the objectives of my campaign. Those objectives do not end with my campaign. Decisions are made by those who show up. Show up!”

Each candidate was required to find up to six volunteers to hand count ballots for the recount, which began at 9 a.m. in the Council Chamber at Auburn Hall.

On Election Day, the results showed Lee lost to Levesque, 3,623 to 3,617. Among the 7,693 total ballots cast, there were also 49 write-ins and 404 blanks.

In the recount, Levesque picked up five votes, and Lee lost one.


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