A one-time School Board member is now calling herself delegate-elect.
Democrat Nancy Guy declared victory Friday night over her Republican incumbent opponent, Del. Chris Stolle, in the 83rd District.
The victory announcement came after a “long and precise ballot counting process” that brought Guy’s edge over Stolle to 26 votes, up from 18, according to a news release from the House Democratic Caucus.
The addition comes from provisional ballots. There were a total of 16, according to Guy. Twelve went to her; four to Stolle.
Vote counting is not officially complete, said Kathryn Gilley, a spokeswoman with the House Democratic Caucus.
Four provisional ballots remain outstanding in the district’s only Norfolk precinct, according to Gilley. But even if they go for Stolle, the Democratic group and Guy know that still means a win for Guy.
The Virginia Beach Registrar was not available for comment Friday night.
Stolle has not conceded and said a recount is still on the table.
“This election is so close we want to make sure every vote is properly counted,” Stolle wrote in a text Friday night to The Pilot. “We are considering a recount to ensure that happens.”
Stolle said he believes the Norfolk precinct will be counted on Monday, but wrote that he doesn’t anticipate a significant change in the numbers from that one precinct.
“This election is not over and is really close,” he wrote.
Guy said in an interview that is certainly within Stolle’s rights. For now, she’s acting as Delegate-Elect Guy. She will head to Richmond on Saturday morning for a Democratic caucus where she will cast a vote for party leadership.
Next Thursday, she’ll be back in Richmond, where freshmen delegates will go through training.
“I feel like I’ve come full circle,” Guy said. She told a story about how when she was 11 years old she wanted to be a page in the General Assembly.
They didn’t allow girls back then.
“Close to a half century later I’m going to sit in the chair,” she said.
Her victory would mean Democrats will hold a 55-45 majority in Richmond.
Gordon Rago, 757-446-2601, gordon.rago@pilotonline.com
