After a Montco Recount, Jones Wins in Abington

Abington Commissioner Lawrence Jones, who was seeking re-election for the 2-year term of Ward 3 Commissioner, was in attendance as the The Montgomery County Commissioners, sitting as the Montgomery County Election Board, held a meeting Wednesday afternoon to re-tally the votes.

Jones, a Republican, ran against Democrat and former Abington Commissioner Michael O’Connor. At the end of election night, it was all knotted-up at 510 votes, according to unofficial results from the county’s website.

After Montgomery County Commissioner Leslie Richards tallied up the results from the voting booths and the absentee ballots from each precinct — and then handed them over to Commissioners Josh Shapiro and Bruce Castor for another set of eyes — Jones was named the winner by a vote of 514-512.

Jones only won one of the three precincts; he took precinct 3-1 by a vote of 122-113. O'Connor won precincts 3-2 and 3-3 by votes of 156-150 and 243-242, respectively.

Jones shook hands with attorney for the Democrats Adam Bonin following the results, and was then congratulated by members of his party, including Jon Fox and former Abington Commissioner Richard Gaglianese.

The race for Ward 3 was one of two races that ended in a tie on election night. After re-counting the votes for Ward 4, the race, again, was determined to be a tie at 517 votes.

Republican Pamela Vasserman and Democrat Jimmy DiPlacido will draw lots Friday at noon at One Montgomery Plaza in Norristown to perhaps determine a winner. 

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