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A recount in the close race for the Democratic nomination in the Bristol 9th state House district affirmed that Edward Pacheco is still the victor.
Pacheco hung onto his slim 14-vote lead against Stephen Medeiros after the clerk’s offices in Dartmouth and New Bedford reported the recount results to the Secretary of State’s Office on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning respectively. Pacheco will face the Republican candidate Chester Tam on Nov. 3 for the seat being vacated by Chris Markey, who is running for Bristol County District Attorney.
“The results have not changed. I am still the Democratic nominee,” Pacheco said in a more than eight-minute social media post shortly after the results were called.
The final hand recount in Dartmouth showed 2,104 votes for Pacheco — a decrease of one vote — and 2,082 for Medeiros — a decrease of two votes. In New Bedford, the final tally was 389 for Pacheco versus 397 for Medeiros, a one-vote gain for Medeiros. That left the margin between the two men at 14 votes, same as on primary night.
Manuel DeBrito, the chair of the New Bedford Election Commission, said the recount was reason to have faith in the election system.
“The machines are accurate,” he said.
In a statement to The Light, Pacheco extended his gratitude to poll workers.
“We extend our thanks to all of the election workers and professionals from both within the district and from the area that came out to ensure that our democratic processes were executed,” he said. “We now turn our eyes to the general election November 3 and will continue to talk about the important things that impact the working families and retirees of the ninth Bristol District.”
In his own post to social media, Medeiros immediately conceded the race. He also took a moment to reflect on what he learned through the election process.
“I have a whole new appreciation for what it takes to run for public office and what candidates go through every single day,” Medeiros said. “The microscope you’re under. The daily stress that you carry. And all of it [because] you’re trying to do the best thing for the people you represent.”
Medeiros, who received some criticism during the campaign for past donations to Trump-supporting Republicans, had a request to make to voters moving forward.
“Please give your elected officials some grace,” he continued. “Stop trashing them on social media. You probably have never experienced what they’re going through and you also don’t truly understand some of the decisions they make because you’re not in the room with them.”
Contact Kevin G. Andrade at kandrade@newbedfordlight.org.
