By the narrowest of margins, Bosley defeated Hardin 672-653, winning by 19 votes.
“Some people may say I have sour grapes, but I am definitely contesting this election and seeking a recount,” said Hardin, who was preparing a lawsuit Wednesday with his attorney to contest his loss.
“We are going to go to court. We feel there are many, many discrepancies,” Hardin said.
Hardin alleged that Bosley poll workers went outside voting stations with election judges to take ballots from curbside. “The election judges also advised voters to vote for Bosley,” Hardin alleged.
Hardin said he was leading the race by nearly 100 votes shortly before 11 p.m., when he left his celebration party to go to the Board of Election Commissioners after a campaign worker told him the commission had stopped counting votes.
“According to the election commission, they stopped the vote count because they had to reduplicate the ballots because of some hanging chads,” Hardin said.
“When I left my post-election celebration party, the vote count was 421 to 326. That was with 75 percent of the vote counted at 10:20 p.m. (Tuesday),” Hardin said.
“This has to be the most hilarious 3rd Ward election. If this had not happened to me personally, I would not have believed all of this. But it did happen to me, and I am prepared to challenge the outcome.”
Hardin also lost to Bosley in 2001. Bosley did not return calls to the American.Ford-Griffin defeats NelsonIncumbent 5th Ward Alderwoman April Ford-Griffin said she never felt nervous about defeating 5th Ward Committeewoman Cheryl M. Nelson. Ford-Griffin beat Nelson 908-757 with 100 percent of precincts reporting.
“I knew it wasn’t even going to be close if we got our vote out,” said Ford-Griffin, who was ensured another four years to complete her ongoing economic development plan and new housing projects.
“I attribute my victory to having the experience and a plan for what the residents want in this ward. There was a lot of mudslinging on (Nelson’s) and (state Rep.) Rodney Hubbard’s part. But the residents of this ward saw through it,” Ford-Griffin said.
Four years ago, Nelson ran against Ford Griffin for alderwoman and lost. Nelson did not return telephone calls to the American. Roddy defeats BurchfieldNewcomer Rodney Burchfield went down in defeat to four-term incumbent Joe Roddy Jr. in the 17th Ward. Roddy soundly defeated Burchfield by a margin of 966-577.
“I lost because my constituents did not turn out and vote. Something needs to happen in this ward to wake people up,” Burchfield said.
Burchfield said he thought the extreme conditions in the southern parts of his ward would get people to the polls to cast ballots for him.
Roddy campaigned on having brought millions of dollars in new development and housing to his ward in 17 years. He predicted a week ago he would win. “The question is not whether we are going to win, but by how much,” Roddy said.
Burchfield said he will not give up on politics and may seek another post.Troupe defeats TyusFormer state representative Charles Quincy Troupe said he is ready to lead the 1st Ward in getting more economic development, housing and jobs.
Troupe defeated Sharon Tyus, 995-711, with the Rev. Cleo Willis Sr. getting only 40 votes.
Troupe takes over the seat vacated by Irene Smith, who lost in her bid for mayor.
“As I said before, I am a people’s candidate. I am and have always been a good shepherd for my people,” said Troupe, who plans to enact an agenda to regain economic development and jobs for the 1st Ward.McMillan defeats MtuTwo-term incumbent Michael McMillan crushed newcomer Mwenyeji Mtu 778-94 in their 19th Ward race. McMillan scored 89 percent of the vote. McMillan said he now will have a third term to complete nearly $1.08 billion in economic and housing development.
“People have been pleased with the progress they have seen in the community with new housing, businesses and schools. They wish to keep that agenda moving forward and I am happy to do it,” McMillan said.
In other aldermanic races: 21st Ward incumbent Bennice Jones King easily defeated Melinda L. Long, Laura M. Keys and Phill Berry. King received 950 votes while Laura Keys received 332, Phill Berry tallied 211 votes and Melinda L. Long obtained 179 votes.
Kathleen Hanrahan defeated Forrest Hayes by a margin of 1,614 to 963 to take the 23rd Ward seat.
In the 25th Ward, Dorothy Kirner defeated Steven Patterson by a total of 554-437.
In the 27th Ward, incumbent Gregory J. Carter defeated Ron Clark by a margin of 1,152-286.
In the 4th Ward, Alderwoman Peggy Ryan was recalled by a 599-572 vote.
Five incumbents ran unopposed. They are as follows: 7th Ward Alderwoman Phyllis Young, 9th Ward Alderman Kenneth Ortmann, 11th Ward Alderman Matthew Patrick Villa, 13th Ward Alderman Alfred J. Wessels Jr. and 13th Ward Alderwoman Jennifer Florida.
