After spending six hours on Monday recounting every ballot cast in the Goldsboro Mayoral Race, the Wayne County Board of Elections announced the results did not change.
Around 4:30 on Monday afternoon, the Board of Elections announced that Charles Gaylor IV received 49.94 percent of the vote to defeat Raymond Smith Jr., in the Goldsboro Mayor’s race. Smith received 49.80 percent of the vote.
Gaylor’s margin of victory of six votes also remains unchanged.
Shortly after the recount concluded, Gaylor received a phone call from Smith conceding the election.
“I did get a very gracious phone call from Dr. Smith conceding the election,” Gaylor said. “He wished me the best, and we spent several minutes discussing the need for us to continue to work together for the good of the city we both love.”
During the nearly three weeks since the Nov. 7 General election, Gaylor has done his best to focus on his day-to-day responsibilities. He did admit that not focusing on Monday’s recount was challenging at times.
“There’s no doubt you think about it every other second,” Gaylor said. “I have tried to stay busy and focus on my family, my work responsibilities and the things I need to get done on a daily basis. But, it’s definitely hard not to look at your watch every few seconds.”
One of Gaylor’s main priorities prior to being sworn into office is conversing with each member of the Goldsboro City Council.
“I need in to get in front of every council member,” Gaylor said. “I need to find out what their priorities are and what they want to get accomplished. This has the makings of an absolutely phenomenal council.”.
Despite having dreamed of one day being elected as mayor in the city he grew up in, that reality had yet to set in for Gaylor on Monday afternoon.
“It hasn’t happened yet, and I don’t think it will until tonight after my son goes to bed.
Gaylor said of grasping the reality he had won Goldsboro’s Mayoral election. “It’s going to sink in. And to win by six votes, that means there’s still some work to be done. There’s people who have known me since birth, who want to see me make good on their belief in me.”
Attempts by Goldsborodailynews.com to reach Smith for comment were unsuccessful.
