Ward 7 Recount Is In: Cory Thomas Has 4-Vote Victory Affirmed

MELROSE, MA — Cory Thomas will be Ward 7's next City Councilor after a recount Thursday night affirmed his four-vote victory over Ryan Williams. The official total was 698-694.

Thomas will take his seat Jan. 13, succeeding President of the Board Scott Forbes in Ward 7, though he told Patch via text after the recount, "I wish I could get started right now!"

"I am very happy the recount process has confirmed that I am the City Councilor for Ward 7," Thomas said. "I want to again congratulate Ryan for running a good campaign and I look forward to working with and for all of the Ward 7 residents, regardless of who they initially supported."

Williams had said he felt an obligation to everyone who voted to pursue the recount.

"Well, it was a great process to experience and be a part of, and that sentiment was shared on both sides," Williams said on his Facebook page. "It's not often that you run the kind of race where it comes down to a quarter of a percent. We didn't gain any additional votes in the recount, so for now I will say a brief thank you to all who came to observe and all the people who came out to vote."