SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Alex Jensen held off incumbent Theresa Stehly in a recount for a Sioux Falls City Council at-large election, one of the closest and highest-profile elections the city has ever seen.
Jensen entered Wednesday’s recount with a 109-vote lead out of over 27,000 votes cast. The gap tightened slightly, but Jensen hung on by 97 votes. The final tally was 13,791 for Jensen, 13,694 for Stehly.
“We had a lot of integrity in the process today,” Jensen said. “It was fair; it was transparent; we all got to see it happen in front of us. So I think that is the best result.”
Stehly’s four-year tenure on the council comes to an end.
“I want the citizens of Sioux Falls that I served them these last four years with a heart full of love and that I always worked to protect their best interests, and to try to help them whenever I could,” Stehly said.
Stehly said she now plans to “go back to my teaching, and my garden and my friends.”
The recount began Wednesday morning and finished after 7 p.m. It went quicker than expected for election officials, who planned for multiple days of counting.
“There was a lot of ballots to go through; they were very efficient,” City Clerk Tom Greco said. “Overall I think we went into it very well-organized.”
Jensen’s first meeting as a councilor will take place on July 7.
“Now it’s time to start governing. I promise that I’ll make this place a strong and safe place for the families that live here,” Jensen said.
