Washington County begins counting absentee ballots in 49th Legislative race
Absentee ballots were still being opened Wednesday at the Washington County elections office in the tight race between Republican state Rep. Bud Cook and Democratic challenger Steve Toprani. Once opened, ballots were being scanned.
Steve Toprani, right, talks to voters in attendance at his campaign party at the Donora American Legion on Tuesday night.
Absentee count
Observer-Reporter
Melissa Smoody, an election technician, left, and Melanie Ostrander, assistant director of elections, open absentee ballots that were sent in to the Washington County elections office to be counted in this file photo.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Ken Lowe, an election technician, runs absentee ballots through a machine inside the Washington County election office Wednesday.
Reverse the numbers in the 49th Legislative District and you get 94, the number of votes separating incumbent and challenger in that race on election night.
Republican state Rep. Bud Cook held the slim lead over Democratic challenger Steve Toprani in his quest to have voters “rehire” him – as he put it – for a second, two-year term.
Lawyers representing each candidate were ensconced in the scan and tabulation room of the Washington County elections office Wednesday morning.
Neither candidate was present at 10 a.m. when the elections office staff was still opening absentee ballots.
Cook, 62, is a West Pike Run Township resident who “flipped” a seat formerly held by Democrat Pete Dailey on a second try in 2016.
Toprani, 39, as a Republican, was Washington County district attorney for one term, ousting longtime DA John C. Pettit, but he switched parties for this foray.
The 49th District includes much of the Mon Valley in Washington County and part of Fayette County.
Washington County Elections Director Larry Spahr expects results of the absentee ballot count to be available later today.