Posted 11:30 am Monday, August 06, 2012
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Webb will not seek recount in Upshur County Sheriff's GOP race
BY PHILLIP WILLIAMS
Special Correspondent
GILMER — Larry Webb announced today he will not seek a recount of his 25-vote loss to incumbent Anthony Betterton in last Tuesday's Republican runoff for Upshur County sheriff.
Special Correspondent
GILMER — Larry Webb announced today he will not seek a recount of his 25-vote loss to incumbent Anthony Betterton in last Tuesday's Republican runoff for Upshur County sheriff.
He had said last Tuesday night he had not decided whether to seek another count after complete but unofficial returns showed Betterton winning a fourth term by a vote of 2,318-2,293. But today, Webb told The Tyler Paper "it's been a long campaign process for the citizens of Upshur County and all of us involved," and "there needs to be closure."
"The main reason I'm not gonna do the recount is for the benefit of the citizens," said Webb, who said he would continue his career as a Longview police sergeant. "People are just so tired of the election stuff."
In addition, he said, "To do a recount would just prolong something that would probably not change."
He said the expense of holding one was not a factor in his decision. Webb said voters now need "to focus on the coming election in November."
Betterton has no Democratic opponent in the general election. His 25-vote margin was by far his closest race since he ousted incumbent R.D. (Buck) Cross by the same number of votes in the 2000 Democratic primary. Betterton, who had always run as a Democrat before this year, converted to the GOP in late 2010.
In addition, he said, "To do a recount would just prolong something that would probably not change."
He said the expense of holding one was not a factor in his decision. Webb said voters now need "to focus on the coming election in November."
Betterton has no Democratic opponent in the general election. His 25-vote margin was by far his closest race since he ousted incumbent R.D. (Buck) Cross by the same number of votes in the 2000 Democratic primary. Betterton, who had always run as a Democrat before this year, converted to the GOP in late 2010.
