MOUNT DORA, Fla. — A tie in the race for a seat on the Mount Dora City Council was decided when candidate Marie Rich's name was drawn from a hat Tuesday evening.
The Nov. 4 election for the at-large City Council seat resulted in a tie, with both candidates, Rich and incumbent Nick Girone, getting 2,349 votes.
At issue for weeks was how the city would break the tie and officials wanted to draw the winner from a hat. At one point, a lawsuit was filed by a group of citizens hoping to stop the hat drawing.
But a judge ruled that it was up to the city to decide to deal with the tie, so leaders went ahead with a hat drawing Tuesday night.
"And the winner is… Marie Rich!" said City Clerk Gwen Johns.
"I feel relieved. I feel excited," said Rich.
Girone had initially hoped for a runoff election, but city officials pushed for the hat drawing.
The political newcomer was immediately sworn in as the newest City Council member.
"I will wish Marie the best of luck and I'll go my way and see what the Lord has for me in the future," said Girone.
Rich will serve on the City Council for the next two years.
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