BRISTOL, Va. – Incumbent Ronald Cameron and write-in candidate Tyrone Foster were finally able to claim victory Thursday in the protracted city School Board election.

Both men appeared to have the seats sewn up Wednesday, but the final totals were delayed because of questions about a few write-in votes in two of the city’s four precincts. The city’s Electoral Board met again Thursday morning to complete its canvass and certify the election results.

"This is very satisfying. It’s more satisfying to be re-elected because you’ve been through it," Cameron said. "I want to thank God, my family, my supporters and everybody who voted for me. I take this responsibility very seriously."

Only Cameron’s name appeared on the School Board ballot, and his 1,113 votes tallied on Election Day seemed insurmountable. But the incumbent declined to publicly declare victory until all the votes were counted.

Current School Board Chairman Butch Tolley’s last-minute decision to not seek re-election prompted four write-in candidates to campaign and election officials were faced with tallying almost 1,800 write-in votes.

"I did that out of respect to the other candidates," Cameron said of his decision. "And I’m a conservative person and didn’t want to assume anything. I wanted the election to be certified and official before commenting."

He said the vote total was "very satisfying," and he is prepared to help lead the board as it works to achieve more of its goals.

Foster emerged from the field of write-in candidates with 868 votes, posting a more than 350-vote margin over his closest rival.

"Wow," Foster said while looking at the final totals Thursday morning. "I just really appreciate the people who supported me, especially working for me on Election Day. And I really appreciate the people of Bristol Virginia for taking their time to go to the polls and write my name on that ballot."

In his first run for public office Foster received more votes than the other write-ins in all four city precincts.

Foster also came within six votes of matching Cameron’s vote total at Stonewall Jackson, 26 votes at Virginia High and 48 votes at Highland View. Cameron received 149 more votes than Foster at Van Pelt, the incumbent’s home precinct.

"I worked hard at it and a lot of people worked with me," Foster said. "I hope this also reflects on my past and all the things I’ve done in my past."

Foster is a long-time youth sports coach and high school sports official.

"This has been a dream of mine. When I got in, I knew it would be an experience, win or lose," he said.

Foster said he looks forward to working with the established School Board members and learning as much as possible about his new job.

He will be sworn into office in July.

Among the other write-in candidates, Perry Hustad finished with 507 votes, Trevor Leonard got 163 and Jackie Nophlin had 123.

There were 37 votes cast for other write-in candidates and officials disqualified 60 write-in votes for failing to meet criteria established by the Electoral Board.

The process was extended by one day when questions arose during the board’s Wednesday canvass. Electoral Board members found some minor differences in voting totals and had questions about why 10 ballots at Virginia High were listed as invalid.

Election officers reviewed their findings Wednesday night and resolved the math at the Highland View Elementary precinct but the 10-ballot question needed a Thursday decision by the Virginia Board of Elections.

"In addition to writing the name, the voters were to completely fill in the oval to the left of the choice with the pen provided," General Registrar Penny Limburg said. "They filled the oval in with an ink pen and the election officers questioned why the optical scanner had sorted those ballots as invalid."

State officials directed the Electoral Board to count the ballots because the intent of the voters was clear, Limburg said. Those votes are reflected in the final tallies.

The election, which featured 1,756 write-in votes, generated extra work at the polls and during the canvassing process. About two-thirds of the votes were cast on paper ballots and a third on the electronic voting machines.

"I’m really proud of our election workers," Limburg said. "They worked a 16-hour day on Tuesday and came back for 2½ hours Wednesday night. And other than those two things, their paperwork was stellar."

dmcgee@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2532