Student loses in special city election

With the unofficial election count complete, city voters appear to have overwhelming elected candidates Stephanie Stullich and Mary Cook to the college College Park City Council in Tuesday's special election.

Senior government and politics major Nick Aragon, who was running for the District 4 seat against Cook and depended on the absentee votes of students living in several North Campus dormitories, appeared to be well short of votes needed to win the seat.

Of 103 absentee ballots sent out by mail, Elections Supervisor Jack Robson said just 17 had been returned. Tuesday night, Aragon was trailing Cook 137 votes to 50. Robson said if the city does not receive 70 absentee ballots by tomorrow, an absentee count would not take place and Cook would be declared the winner.

Aragon, who was endorsed by Mayor Stephen Brayman days before the election, said on Tuesday he had raised more than $2,000 in campaign funds, while Cook had raised $150.

The special election was held to replace two council members elected to higher office, but took place while students were away on winter break. The timing of the electio was within the requirements of the city charter, which city council members opted not to amend, despite the fact that a major portion of the consituent base would not be present for the election.

Student Government Association leaders had led an effort to sign students up for absentee ballots late in the semester.

An expanded version of this story and full election coverage will appear in the Wednesday, Jan. 24 edition of The Diamondback. Contact reporter Mike Silvestri at silvestridbk@gmail.com