Cooke leads in District 5 special election, runoff still possible

Andrea Cooke has just under 50% of the vote as provisional ballots are still being reviewed.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Andrea Cooke is leading in the special election for the Macon-Bibb County Commission District 5 seat, but a runoff remains possible as provisional ballots are still being reviewed.

According to Macon-Bibb County Board of Elections Supervisor Tom Gillon, Cooke has received 523 votes, accounting for 49.53% of the vote. Edward Foster is in second with 205 votes, or 19.41%.

The remaining candidates finished as follows: Stephanie Stephens-Lanham with 154 votes (14.58%), Landon Justice with 103 (9.75%), Chester Gibbs with 57 (5.40%) and Ulisha Hill with 14 (1.33%).

Gillon said the outcome now hinges on outstanding provisional ballots. If Cooke surpasses 50% plus one vote after those ballots are counted, she would win the seat outright. Otherwise, she and Foster would advance to a runoff election in four weeks.

Gillon said voters have until 5 p.m. Friday to resolve any provisional ballot issues. A pre-certification meeting is scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday, with certification expected soon after if all ballots have been accounted for.

The special election was held Tuesday to fill the District 5 seat left vacant after former commissioner Seth Clark resigned earlier this year.

Click here for the unofficial and incomplete Election Summary Report.