Race Is Over: Newton Councilor Schwartz Concedes To Bowman

NEWTON, MA —It's official: A recount this weekend confirmed that Alicia Bowman edged out incumbent Greg Schwartz in Ward 6 to become the next city councilor there. During the process, it revealed the margin was even closer than originally tallied.

"Our race is over," Schwartz told supporters in an email later.

Bowman edged out Schwartz by 29 votes - 6,778 to 6,749. And Councilor Vicki Danberg keeps her seat with 7,504 votes.

Over the course of 12 hours, the Election Commission went through and re counted all of the ballots at the Cabot Elementary School cafeteria Saturday, with candidates and official observers there to officially observe. In the end, officials found that 10 ballots that were marked blank actually had a vote for one of the three candidates. By the end of the recount, officials added nine votes to Danberg's total.

"As a result, I conceded the election to my opponent, Alicia Bowman, and congratulated her on her victory," Schartz said in a statement.

• Newton Councilor-Elect Alicia Bowman: What To Expect

Originally results had Bowman winning by 30 votes in Ward 6. Some 7,460 voted for Danberg, and 6,742 voted for Bowman and 6,712 voted for him. With 150 write-ins, Schwartz announced asked for a recount.

State law allows candidates to petition for a recount no matter the margin of the initial count in municipal elections.

Schwartz has held the post for the past four two year terms. In 2011, he ousted incumbent Charles Shapiro. Since then, both he and Danberg have run unopposed for the at-large seat.

Read these, too:

• Wright Unseats Incumbent, Bowman, Schwartz Race Still Unclear
• Patch Candidate Profile: Greg Schwartz
• Newton Election Results 2019: City Council, School Committee
• Newton Councilor-Elect Alicia Bowman: What To Expect - Patch

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).