New Mayor: Pantelides Takes Annapolis With 59-Vote Margin

It came down to just 59 votes. The city's new mayor is Mike Pantelides, who his campaign manager is calling "The Youngest Greek Mayor" ever.

Standing on a box and looking full of emotion on Friday evening, Pantelides thanked his supporters, and even the election officials who spent more than 25 hours counting votes. The final tally? Josh Cohen had 3,875 and Pantelides had 3,934.

How did Pantelides think he won?

"I bring something fresh to the table, and that's what voters were looking for," he said to a crowd of supporters.

As the city's elections board reviewed each ballot one by one, a clear picture was being painted—most were being thrown out. The chances for incumbent Mayor Josh Cohen to make the necessary 50-plus vote comeback slowly faded with each rejection.

As success loomed, Pantelides' family and supporters began filing into the city's old recreation center on St. Mary's Street, soon filling the right side of the building. By 3:30 p.m., Pantelides' uncle Andre said with confidence that the race was over: "We feel like we have this." 

The new mayor's father John added: "We're gonna win this."

At issue throughout the six-hour meeting Friday was how many provisional votes were valid. 

Nearly anyone can cast a provisional ballot on Election Day. But to pass scrutiny and be counted, ballots must come from registered voters who are residents of the city.

Most of those rejected on Friday didn't pass one or the other of these qualifications, and many others were thrown out for not meeting other criteria, such as having incomplete information, or not having a valid ID present.

Attorneys for Cohen and Pantelides were perched around the shoulders of the Board of Canvassers as they reviewed each ballot application, though Friday's meeting resulted in fewer interruptions than Thursday's 19-hour session. The meeting started at noon and ended at about 5 p.m.

Pantelides will formally be sworn in as Annapolis' new mayor on Dec. 2 at Maryland Hall.

See related stories:

• VIDEO—Pantelides: 'Every Vote Matters'

• Mike Pantelides Wins Race for Annapolis Mayor

• Into the Night: What People are Saying About the Long Counting Process

• Mayoral Limbo: Questions Linger While Election Officials Slowly County Votes

• Who Will Be Annapolis' Next Mayor?

• Annapolis Mayor's Race Too Close to Call