Sossamon requests recount in House District 32

Rep. Frank Sossamon, the Republican incumbent representing House District 32 in the North Carolina General Assembly, has requested a recount after losing to Democrat challenger Bryan Cohn. Cohn leads Sossamon by fewer than 300 votes, 21,215 to 20,987. If Sossamon were to somehow keep the seat, Republicans would hold the supermajority in the House; they are currently one seat short.

According to the North Carolina State Board of Elections (NCSBE) press release, Cohn leads by 228. A candidate can request a hand-to-eye recount within 24 hours after the initial recount. 

On Monday, the NCSBE conducted a random selection to determine which Election Day precincts or early voting sites will be recounted by hand in Greenville and Vance counties (the counties in District 32). Both county boards of elections will conduct their recounts on Tuesday, Dec 3.

Sossamon’s race is not the only race that the NCGOP is contesting. In addition to House District 32, Senate Districts 18 and 42 are also being closely monitored and protested. Additionally, the hotly contested race for the associate justice seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court between Democrat incumbent Allison Riggs and Republican challenger Jefferson Griffin is being challenged. 

Legal briefs have been filed with the NCSBE in related to Republican candidates Griffin, Adams, and McGinn. These protests challenge the validity of more than 60,000 ballots statewide, according to a press release.

All four of these races are similar both in nature and in terms of where they are in the recount and protest process. All four of these contests are in the recount stages and with official protests filed. In the case of the legislative races, those protests will be heard at the local level and then appealed at the state board level, according to NCGOP chairman Jason Simmons.

“It’s important to remember that these actions are being taken because of the administration of elections: while Democrats and their allies in the media seem to want specific outcomes, our effort is about consistency, fairness, and transparency,” said Matt Mercer, director of communications at NCGOP in a press release. 

Follow Carolina Journal for further updates concerning ongoing election challenges.

The post Sossamon requests recount in House District 32 first appeared on Carolina Journal.