Brian Rudnick: I won’t concede

Despite lopsided poll results in the city’s Eighth District, independent City Council candidate Brian Rudnick is refusing to concede the race to his Democratic opponent Cindy Bass and has now asked the District Attorney’s office to investigate the vote totals.

Numbers from Tuesday’s general election handed Bass a swift victory in her second City Council bid. With 97.7 percent of precincts reporting, she had taken home more than 88 percent of the votes (18,128 to 2,427 votes).

In a message posted to his blog titled “The campaign for truth and social justice continues,” Rudnick questioned the credibility of the results, saying that his experiences on the campaign trail told a different support story.

“Ninety-five percent of them did not know that Cindy Bass was running for 8th District City Council. Of the five percent who were acquainted with Bass, ninety-five percent didn’t support her candidacy,” writes Rudnick. “I’m not sure how or even if she got the number of votes that’s been reported.”

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In an updated blog post, Rudnick added that reports he received throughout the day from his poll workers indicated that he was doing “very well.” Rudnick also added that he left a voicemail with the District Attorney’s election complaint hotline. In a self-made YouTube video of that call, included in the post, Rudnick said he wanted assurance that the election results were reported ” fairly” and “accurately.”

Rudnick did not immediately return calls seeking further comment Wednesday.

Joe Corrigan, Bass’ campaign spokesman, said the poll results made it clear that Eighth District voters chose Bass to be their next Councilperson.

“If [Rudnick] doesn’t agree with those results there are legal processes to follow and he can pursue that route if he really doesn’t believe the voters,” said Corrigan. “Frankly, we trust the voters.”

Asked about Rudnick’s non-concession, Corrigan said, “It’s a matter of decency and etiquette and that’s up to him.”

As it stands, Bass will replace outgoing Democratic Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller, who did not seek a fifth term in office. She’ll be sworn into office in January.

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