BREAKING: Recount affirms Sioux Falls mayor-elect Christine Erickson's victory over Jamie Smith
Winner set to be sworn in July 17 barring court injunction in historic runoff; runner-up not conceding
Christine Erickson will keep the title of mayor-elect following the close of a two-day recount of more than 36,000 ballots cast in last month’s Sioux Falls mayoral runoff.
The former city councilor and lawmaker defeated Sen. Jamie Smith by four votes after a three-member panel completed its painstaking review of every ballot — and then some — counted in the June 23 contest for the first-floor corner office at City Hall. The total was 18,281 to 18,277.
“The results were clear on June 23 and again today after the recount,” Erickson said after the tally was announced Thursday night. “I won the election, and I will be the next mayor of Sioux Falls.
“Thank you to everyone who has stood by my side throughout this entire campaign. I’m ready to get to work as mayor,” she added.
