Recounts reveal winners in 2 close races

PERKINS TWP. — After more than two weeks of waiting, there's clarity into the winners and losers of two tightly contested races. On Wednesday — equating to 15 days after Election Day — Erie County elections board officials conducted and concluded recounts for a pair of offices — Sandusky school board and Vermilion Township trustee: • Jennifer Ashburn, a newcomer to Sandusky's school board, garnered 23.61% of the total vote. Her total tally of 1,505 votes defeated the runners-up in this race: She defeated incumbent Jennifer Chapman by seven votes and fellow challenger Talib Garrett by 19 votes. Ashburn joins the race's other winner, incumbent Martha Murray, both securing four-year terms starting in January. • Keith Sexton, a newcomer to the Vermilion Township's trustees' office, garnered 15% of the total vote. His total tally of 412 votes defeated the first runner-up in this race: He defeated fellow challenger Katie Lalonde by seven votes. Sexton joins the race's other winner, incumbent Don Rowe, both securing four-year terms starting in January. During the past two-plus weeks, election officials needed to convene and inspect ballots to ensure their validity. Once doing this, the margin of victory between winners and losers in this race fell within one-half of 1%, triggering automatic recounts. Because of this, elections officials recounted every single ballot cast in these races: Between the two races, there were more than 5,600 ballots counted. Ashburn, a lifelong educator who attended school as a child in Sandusky, focused her campaign on literacy. She continues to pursue initiatives, support programs and volunteer her time at Sandusky Recreation's Outta Schools @ Mills program, instilling a love of reading into children. "Reading is not just a skill: It is a gateway," Ashburn said. "It's the foundation on which every other subject is built. Literacy first, literacy matters. Every child should be reading at grade level by third grade. Every classroom, every teacher, every family, and everyone in Sandusky must become a part of making that happen." Ashburn expressed her gratitude to all who voted for her. She also quoted Maya Angelou — an author, poet, dancer, singer, activist and scholar — proclaiming, "When you know better, you do better." "Now we know so we can do better, and I'm so excited about that," Ashburn said. "When we know better, we do better." Sexton never responded to Register inquiries during his campaign or afterward, seeking comment on his platforms. Sandusky Schools (2 win) • Martha Murray: 1,886 • Jennifer Ashburn: 1,505 (23.61%) • Jennifer Chapman: 1,498 (23.5%) • Talib Garrett: 1,486 (23.31%) Vermilion Township trustee (2 win) • Don Rowe: 449 • Keith Sexton: 412 (15%) • Katie Lalonde: 405 (14.74%) Note: According to official results Source: Erie County Board of Elections