Guild fundraises for possible recount following runoff
WASHINGTON — Edmond Democrat Tom Guild, who lost the runoff for the 5th Congressional District nomination by 40 votes Tuesday, said Thursday that he will ask for a recount of Oklahoma County if donors defray the $2,100 cost.
Guild said he must decide by noon Friday whether to seek the recount to allow enough time to meet the requirements of the process.
Al McCaffrey, of Oklahoma City, won the squeaker over Guild, who was slightly ahead until the last few precincts were counted. The race was a rematch of 2014, when McAffrey beat Guild for the Democratic nomination in the congressional district.
Tuesday, McAffrey received 8,025 votes to Guild’s 7,985.
Guild won Pottawatomie and Seminole Counties and made the decision not to spend $600 each on recounts in them, he said.
McCaffrey won the Oklahoma County part of the district 6,993 to 6,640.
Guild said state and county officials told him that the result was likely to stand following a recount.
He said some of his close supporters urged him to seek donations for a recount.
The 5th District is represented by Republican Rep. Steve Russell, of Choctaw, who is heavily favored to win re-election. Libertarian Zachary Knight, of Edmond, also will be on the Nov. 8 ballot.