CANVASS GIVES WALKER NOD IN HOUSE RACE - Blankenship Looking At Options

(05/20/2008)
Following a third county vote canvass after Tuesday's primary, Clay County's David Walker appears to be the new delegate for the 33rd Delegate District (Gilmer, Calhoun and Clay).

Walker picked up 12 votes in the Clay County canvass yesterday, after Calhoun's Ron Blankenship tied the vote for the house seat after canvasses last Friday in Calhoun and Gilmer.

Larry Cottrell and Rick Frame picked-up one vote in the Clay canvass and Blankenship picked-up none.

Last Friday's Gilmer vote canvass added five votes to Blankenship's tally, and Calhoun's canvass added ten.

The final tally in the race following the canvass of provisional (challenged) ballots: Walker, 1,200 and Blankenship 1,188.

Blankenship told the Herald last night he is possibly looking at options related to a recount.

"I'm grateful for the support the voters gave me, I met a lot of good people while out campaigning," he said.

Read earlier Herald stories.