A candidate on the short end of a tight Republican primary race for Hilltown Township Supervisor has filed a petition in Bucks County, asking for a recount.
“I’m not insinuating there’s been any fraud or voter manipulation,” said Matt Knox, who lost the election by 30 votes, according to the unofficial count on the Bucks County Board of Elections website. “It’s just very close and statistically it would be in everyone’s best interest to ask for a recount.”
His opponent, David Christ Jr., said he heard something about a possible recount petition but has yet to be officially notified by the county. “I don’t have a problem with that. It’s within his rights to ask for it,” Christ said. He added that he too wanted the votes to be counted fairly. “It was a close one, 30 votes out of 1640” cast, Christ added.
Knox, an airline pilot for Jet Blue who plans to open a winery in the township in the fall, received 805 votes, according to the Board of Elections website. Christ, CFO of Interstate Fleet Services in Colmar, received 835 votes, the website states.
Christ, who has been a member of the township planning commission for more than a decade, said he ran for supervisor four years ago, but lost in the GOP primary to the man who is now supervisor vice chair, Caleb Torrice. Knox said this was his first run for public office.
Knox and Christ are seeking the seat on the three-member board being vacated by Jack McIlhinney, who is not running for reelection. The winner of the Republican primary will face off in the General Election next fall against Democrat Joseph Metzinger, who ran unopposed in the primary.
Knox said he was required to get three voters, from within the Hilltown voting districts or precincts that cast ballots in the race, to fill out an affidavit and sign the petition requesting a recount. He stressed that he does not believe there was an intentional wrongdoing.
According to a Bucks County spokesman, the petition was filed in the Bucks County Prothonotary’s Office. The spokesman said initiating a recount is a legal process and is handled in the courts.
Join our readers whose generous donations are making it possible for you to read our news coverage. Help keep local journalism alive and our community strong. Donate today.
