The first words for me to say are ‘thank you.’ It took sacrifices by many fine people working together to make this victory possible. I thank each of them – the people of the 2nd District, the people who volunteered and gave of their time and money and worked selflessly.

This is the way American Democracy works: Through elections. That, inevitably, leads to debate and conflict which can be bruising. It is, I can now say from experience, at times a harsh endeavor. But it has served our democracy well for over 200 years.

After receiving a gracious call from Congressman Etheridge, the election is over and rather than debating our problems we begin work on how to solve them and as I begin my part in that work I want to wish Congressman Etheridge and his family the best.

This election Americans voted to change Washington. And I have been elected to play a role in bringing that change to Congress. I will do all that I can to meet that challenge. I ask for your prayers and I ask you to join me in praying for Congressman Etheridge and his family during this transition. Thank you.

Renee

The second step in the recount began this morning – in eight (of ten) counties they’re recounting ballots right now. We have our lawyers, observers and volunteers in place. Thank you all for your incredible support during this process. Tweet

If you are able to help with the Recount in any of the 10 counties in District 2, please send your name and other contact info, the county or counties where you could work and your availability this week to Renee@ReneeforCongress. com.  Thanks so much for all of your support. Tweet

We are pleased that the canvass has produced the result we were confident all along that it would. We don’t know yet whether or not Congressman Etheridge will go forward with a call for a recount, but we have not found anywhere in North Carolina history that a lead this large has ever been overturned as a result of a recount. At this point our only concern over the prospect of a recount is the cost to the taxpayers of North Carolina. We will wait and see what Congressman Etheridge decides to do, but at the same time we are going forward in preparation to serve the people of the Second Congressional District.

Dear Supporter,

The Boards of Election in three counties have met and counted their ‘provisional’ ballots. Congressman Etheridge has gained 33 votes. Overall, I lead by 1,600 votes.

What is a ‘provisional’ ballot? When a voter shows up at a precinct, but is not on the list of registered voters, then he or she is given a ‘provisional’ ballot. Then, later, the local Elections Board determines if he or she is entitled to vote.

What happened Monday night in Franklin County – one of the ten counties in my district – is an example: On Election Day 187 people cast ‘provisional’ ballots. The Board approved 70 of those ballots. And disapproved 101. It took no action on 16, asking the State Board of Elections for assistance.

The remaining seven counties in my district will count their ‘provisional’ ballots by Friday. Then every County Board will meet and conduct a ‘canvas’ to verify the updated vote totals. If, at that point, I lead by over 1% of the vote, unless Congressman Etheridge brings a legal challenge, I will be certified as the winner of the election. If I lead by less than 1% (as I do now) then there will be a recount of all the ballots.

We have volunteers and attorneys observing each count in each Board of Elections and, so far, they report only one questionable development.

Here is what happened: There are three Congressional Districts in Nash County. On Election Day some voters who live in my district (the 2nd District) voted in one of the other Congressional Districts.

When the Nash County Board of Elections counted those ballots they found some of the voters had cast straight Democratic ballots.

A Democratic observer immediately spoke up and urged the Board to count those votes for my opponent Congressman Etheridge.

In other words, the Democratic observer was saying if a voter had supported Democratic Congressman G.K. Butterfield in the 1st District – then his vote should be counted for Democrat Congressman Bob Etheridge in the 2nd District.

The Republican Board member objected and, after discussing the issue, the Board threw out the ballots.

The Democrats made the same argument in another county and that Board, quite properly, disallowed the ballots as well.

I want to thank everyone who has contributed or helped me raise money. Due to your support we have been able to identify and resolve problems like the one above.

By Friday, when the Boards meet we will have spent nearly $70,000, and if we proceed with a recount (which Congressman Etheridge has already announced he will request) we are facing another $150,000 in various bills and operating expenses.

If you have not given please consider making a contribution today.

Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats in Washington want Congressman Etheridge’s vote back in Congress. With your help we can insure an honest victory.

Yours,

Renee

P.S. Nancy Pelosi’s Democrat Congressional Committee is raising money for Congressman Etheridge, telling donors to give to pay for his recount to defeat me because I will vote to repeal Obama-care!