| While most outlets in the state are reporting on Rep. Casteel's demise, some are coming around to the possibility that it's too early to write into the history books. The Express-News runs an article which you should go read in full if you want to know what is the latest.
Casteel is looking at a recount which she has until March 29 to call for. I got in touch with the campaign, and they have retained an election lawyer who is reviewing the situation. As to the ballot situation...
The 45-vote margin could narrow when mail-in absentee ballots sent to out-of-country military personnel are counted. They must be postmarked by election day but can be received until March 20.
Officials are awaiting 93 ballots that were mailed out, but not yet returned, including 79 from Comal County, Casteel's base of support. However, election officials expect relatively few of those ballots to come in. Four were delivered to the Comal County courthouse Wednesday, said Comal County Elections Administrator Linell Hinojosa.
There also were nine provisional ballots cast, seven from Comal County. Those will be checked by voter registration officials and counted if the voters registered properly.
I also received a pack of mailers and clippings from my parents last night from this race. I'll scan them and try to get some up in the next 24 hours so you can see the work of James Leininger. Speaking of him, I've taken the liberty of adjusting Leininger candidate Nathan Macias' quotes from the article for you below.
Macias said he's "telling everyone I'm victorious and will represent the district with [James Leininger's] strong, conservative values."
But he later added that with the number of ballots that still could show up and be counted, "I'm not sure anybody can claim victory, [but I'd need to call James Leininger to be sure of that.]"
...
Macias said his campaign stuck to the facts.
"I believe the voters chose the representation they desire and deserve, which is [the] conservative, Republican representation [of James Leininger]" he said, [while uncomfortably adjusting the puppet strings attached to his neck]. |
