By MADDY VITALE
Ocean City Councilman Jody Levchuk emerged victorious Wednesday afternoon in a race that separated him and his opponent by just two votes.
On Wednesday, when the vote was made official, Levchuk had 402 votes. His challenger in the Third Ward race, Amie Vaules, received 400 votes.
Levchuk, a married father of two, said it was a tough race that saw both he and his opponent run “good, clean campaigns” and that he is thrilled with the results.
“I am beyond thrilled and humbled by this entire experience. I would like to thank my entire family, my team, and the entire Third Ward for giving me the opportunity to serve you for the next four years,” he said in a Facebook post. “To my opponent, I sincerely thank you for your passionate efforts and dedication to Ocean City.”
Levchuk and Vaules were at the Cape May County Clerk’s Office to receive the official votes Wednesday.
Cape May County Clerk Rita M. Rothberg said that the election results are official and noted that Ocean City Clerk Melissa Rasner has agreed to certify the results.
Rothberg explained that a recount or election challenge may be done only after the results are official.
“The timeline starts now,” she said, noting that in total there are 17 days following the election in which a candidate can challenge or request a recount with the state Superior Court.
Vaules said in an interview Wednesday that she and her campaign team will discuss whether she will ask for a recount.
“I haven’t decided yet if I will ask for a recount. I will consult my team this afternoon and see what the best decision is for me and the campaign,” Vaules said.
Like Levchuk, Vaules said that both sides stayed positive during campaigning.
“I am proud of how my team and I ran the campaign,” she said. “As Jody said, we both came out and ran a clean and positive race and I think that’s what the people of Ocean City appreciate and want to see in representation.”
On Election Night on May 14, Levchuk and Vaules were also separated by just two votes, with Levchuk at 391 to 389 for Vaules.
Not included in the unofficial election results May 14 were the mail-in ballots mailed on or before Election Day but not yet received, vote-by-mail ballots for which “cure letters” have been issued and provisional ballots, according to the official website capemaycountyvotes.com.
May 21 was the last deadline on the timeline before the Ocean City clerk canvassed the election.
While declaring victory Wednesday, Levchuk said he will continue to be an independent thinker and an independent voice representing the community.
“I ran four years ago as an independent representing the community, and I ran this time around to continue to be an independent representative for the community,” Levchuk said. “I am thankful, and I am humbled by this experience and happy that I will be able to continue to serve my community.”
