ROANOKE, Va. – We now have an official date for when the Roanoke mayoral election between Joe Cobb and David Bowers could be decided.
The Circuit Court has scheduled a recount for Dec. 19, following an incredibly close race in the November election, where only 59 votes separated the two candidates.
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On Election Night, Bowers had a narrow lead of 19 votes. However, after the Virginia Department of Elections included provisional ballots in the final count, Cobb took the lead with 15,221 votes to Bowers’ 15,162.
Soon after, Bowers requested a recount saying, “There are just too many inconsistencies and irregularities with regards to the mayor’s race here in Roanoke, questions abound, questions.. people ask me all the time, so I think there’s a lot of suspicion and distrust about our electoral process here in Roanoke.”
Cobb released a statement after the Circuit Court announced the official recount date, saying:
I am deeply grateful to the citizens of Roanoke and all who voted and participated in our election process. I have the greatest confidence in our Director of Elections and General Registrar Nicholas Ocampo and all those who worked so hard in the election, which accurately reflects the votes of the people of the City of Roanoke.
I am also very pleased that the Circuit Court today set the date of Thursday, December 19, 2024, for the recount. I am cooperating in all respects with this process, and I very much look forward to its conclusion and the opportunity to serve the citizens of Roanoke.
Joe Cobb
Bowers has not commented on the recount yet.
In a little under two weeks from now, those in the Star City will have a clearer picture of the mayoral race.