Twice within nine days, state Rep. Bill Cook, a Republican, called for state Sen. Stan White, a Democrat, to concede in the close race for the District 1 seat in the state Senate, now held by White.
It’s interesting that Cook, who holds a 21-vote lead in the race, has asked two times for White to concede. Cook’s first request for White to concede came after the Nov. 16 canvass. Cook’s second request for White to concede came after the first recount Monday. It’s also interesting Cook has declared victory in a race that’s close and yet to be officially determined and certified.
Remember it was Cook, as vote totals were still coming in on election night and showing him and White in a close race, who said he would call for a recount when those unofficial vote totals indicated he was behind by about 400 votes.
Cook was not willing to concede at that point.
“I think that’s what I’m probably going to do,” Cook said from his home. “Four hundred is awfully close. It’s definitely a recount.”
But when the canvass results and first recount results gave Cook an even-narrower lead over White, Cook declares victory and asks White to concede? That’s a bit ironic, isn’t it?
Under state law, White was entitled to ask for the first recount. That law allowed him to seek a second recount, which will be conducted Monday.
Cook was more than ready on election night to seek a recount.
What’s good for the goose should be good for the gander.
Let the recount process run its course. Let the election result be certified. The candidates and the voting public deserve no less, no more.