Cook Asks State Elections Board to Declare Him Winner in State Senate race | Eastern NC Now

For Immediate Release:

Criticizes Bartlett for Provisional Ballot Comments

   Representative Bill Cook (R-Beaufort) called on the State Board of Elections to declare him the winner of the State Senate District 1 race today following his 21 vote victory in Monday's district-wide recount.

   "I am disappointed to see the continued efforts of my opponent to extend this race when I have received the majority of the votes in two counts. I ask the state board to do declare me the winner. Further delay only serves to undermine the credibility of the election process here in North Carolina," Cook said.

   Cook was also critical of comments by State Board of Elections director Gary Bartlett on Tuesday where Bartlett attempted to introduce provisional ballot questions into the recount process.

   "I am disturbed to see Mr Bartlett's comments in the press about provisional ballot reviews by local boards and see this as another attmept to delay certifying my victory. He is aware about the timeline and circumstances of these ballots and his bringing this situation into question publicly while the process is still ongoing brings into question his judgement in this matter," Cook said.

    I have won this race and prevailed in two counts and further attempts to deny my victory will bring the entire process into question," Cook concluded.

    Contact:    Bill Cook  (252) 295-8210
Bill Cook keeps a keen perspective on the truth, and expresses it well: Above.     photo by Stan Deatherage