By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
From winning a close race to losing narrowly, and then to uncertainty.
Republican Buchanan County Western District Commissioner candidate Everett Goddard, Jr. experienced a roller coaster of emotions on election night.
“Yeah, it was quite the roller coaster ride,” Goddard tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “I was watching the Buchanan County thing, you know, and watching everything come through: said 100%, 100%. Then, news stations just started calling me telling me that I won. Yeah, it was a roller coaster ride. Then, come to find out that I didn’t; yeah, it was a lot.”
At first, it appeared Goddard had won the race by 104 votes. After all the absentee votes were counted, Goddard had lost by 20 to incumbent Democrat Ron Hook.
Unofficial totals from the Buchanan County Clerk’s office have Hook up 7,851 to 7,831. Provisional ballots have not yet been processed. Overseas military ballots must be received by noon Friday.
If, after all the ballots have been counted and the margin remains within 1%, an automatic recount will take place.
“Obviously, yeah, I’d like to see a recount just from the mixed emotions between I won by 104 then I lost by 20,” Goddard says. “Obviously, yeah, I’d like to just see a recount. If I lost, I lost. That’s just a part of it. Someone’s got to lose and someone’s got to win.”
Goddard says he will stick to his day-to-day life while waiting to see what the final result is.
“You know, I run a bait shop in the south end. I’m a sub-contractor for the Navy,” Goddard says. “So, I just go on, just keep working, and see what happens.”
If after all the ballots are counted, and possibly recounted, and he still finds himself short, Goddard doesn’t plan to give up.
“Well, if I lose for sure, I’ll see you in four years.”
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