The results are in, and Matt Furnari and Kalee Talley have emerged victorious in their Republican runoffs.
After box votes and absentees were counted Tuesday night, both the tax collector and District 1 supervisor races were too close to call.
Both Furnari and Talley lead by 12 votes, with 13 affidavit ballots still to be counted and as many as 11 mail-in absentees somewhere in the postal system.
On Wednesday afternoon, Circuit Clerk Teresa Barksdale told The Dispatch the affidavits decided both races.
Talley, according to unofficial results, now leads Diane Whaley Stephens 1,775 to 1,759 in the race for tax collector, a margin larger than the number of outstanding absentees.
With no other opponent, Talley won the office outright.
Talley did not want to comment until the results were officially certified.
“There are still some absentees that need to be verified, and until then I want to respect the process,” she said.
Stephens wished Talley well.
“It’s been an interesting campaign, and I wish (Talley) the best,” Stephens said. “I think she’ll do a good job.”
Furnari’s lead over Michael Brock stands at 739 to 726 in the District 1 Republican primary, again larger than the number of absentees still out.
Furnari congratulated Brock on running an “above board” campaign, but he said it isn’t time to quit yet.
“We’re only halfway done,” Furnari said. “We’ve got another election to get ready for. … We’ll just work as hard as we can.”
Brock thanked his supporters and family for being there for him.
Furnari goes on to face Democrat Tommy Lee Kidd in the Nov. 7 general election.
As many as 11 mail-in absentees are still out, Barksdale said. Even so, the law allows five business days for mail-in ballots to arrive. Due to the Labor Day weekend, the deadline will be Wednesday.
Brian Jones is the local government reporter for Columbus and Lowndes County.
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