By Josh Bergeron
josh.bergeron@salisburypost.com

In the N.C. State Auditor’s race, candidate Chuck Stuber wanted a recount but not enough to wait to see the final results.

Shortly after noon on Friday, the N.C. Republican Party sent out a news release announcing that Stuber, a Republican, would concede the race for auditor to incumbent Beth Wood, a Democrat. The announcement came as a statewide recount that Stuber requested was still occurring.

In the N.C. GOP’s news release, Stuber said it appeared the vote count wouldn’t change with a recount.

“My entire professional career has been one of public service, and I hope I will have the opportunity to serve the citizens of North Carolina again in some capacity in the future,” he said in the news release.

At 5 p.m. on Friday, Wood’s margin of victory was 6,063.

In Rowan County, which voted for the Republican by a large margin, Stuber actually lost two votes to Wood during a recount. It cost Rowan more than $11,000 to conduct, according to Elections Director Nancy Evans. It’s unclear whether the state plans to reimburse the county for elections-related costs, Evans said.

Rowan County leased a machine that rapidly counts ballots instead of bringing in workers to manually insert ballots into the regular tabulators.

More than a month after election day, Evans said she’s happy the election that seemed like it would never end has finally come to a close.

Hardin weighing a bid for county commissioner

The race for Salisbury City Council doesn’t officially start until the summer. It will be two more years before the next county commission race. However, Salisbury city councilman Ken Hardin says he’s considering both as potential parts of his political future.

Hardin, in the midst of his first term on the Salisbury City Council, says he will run for city council in 2017 with the intention of being mayor. Hardin said he’s also heavily considering whether he might run for county commission in 2018. The makeup of the city council in 2018 will be the determining factor in whether he runs for county commission, Hardin said.

“I’ve been having some productive conversations with key people who are encouraging and supporting this,” Hardin said about running for county commission.

In 2018, Hardin could end up competing against incumbents Judy Klusman, Jim Greene and Greg Edds. Terms of the three end in 2018. However, Klusman, Greene and Edds may decide to run for another position or not decide to run for reelection.

Hudson outlines McCrory’s “incredible record of success”

When Gov. Pat McCrory conceded this week, he received lengthy praise from one of Rowan County’s congressman.

Rep. Richard Hudson said McCrory had an “incredible record of success” during his one term of governor.

“By all accounts, our state has seen historic growth under Governor McCrory’s leadership,” Hudson said in an emailed statement. “He is a true champion for jobs, and he has successfully transformed our economy and helped put hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians back to work. With Governor McCrory’s guidance, North Carolina has seen historic tax reform, budget surpluses, critical infrastructure investments and higher public teacher pay.”

Hudson also pledged to work with Governor-elect Roy Cooper as he prepares to take office.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.