FALL RIVER – The word “recount” is circulating among the four candidates who unsuccessfully took on incumbent Mayor Jasiel Correia in Tuesday’s recall election, but it doesn’t sound like it’s being considered as a serious option.
“We’re going to talk to some people today. There are some preliminary discussions of a recount, but I don’t want to put the city through that when we’re six months out from the next election,” said School Committee member Paul Coogan, who came within 250 votes of unseating Correia. “At this point, I’m not leaning that way.”
While several of Coogan’s supporters may have shouted “recount” as the results came tumbling in at the candidate’s election night party, none of the voters will be able to lead the recount charge.
Only the candidates who ran during the recall would be eligible to ask for a recount. To qualify, they would have to gather the signatures of at least 10 people from each of the city’s nine wards for a recount petition, which they would then have to submit by 5 p.m. on the 10th day after the election.
City Councilor Joseph Camara, who received the third highest number of votes, said Wednesday that he was not planning on asking for a recount and hadn’t heard of anyone else considering it as an option.
“I know that I don’t need a recount. And I haven’t heard anything about it,” he said.
Former City Councilor Kyle Riley, who came in fourth Tuesday night, said Wednesday that he had no interest in pursuing a recount either.
“I think we invested in the recall election and it was costly,” he said. “For me, it’s time to move on and get ready for November.”
Because she came in last, Erica Scott-Pacheco said she did not plan on pursuing a recount. However, she did encourage other candidates to at least explore it as an option.
“I had consulted with two attorneys prior to last night because I thought it was important for my team to have more information," Scott-Pacheco said. "For me, it’s less relevant because I finished fifth but I do think Paul Coogan and Joe Camara should explore their legal options.”