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Thelma Hinton has conceded the election for the Suffolk Public Schools Board’s Whaleyville Borough seat after a close race against Sean P. McGee. The final results showed McGee winning with 43.52% of the vote (2,778 votes), while Hinton received 42.63% (2,721 votes). This translates to a 57-vote difference, representing a 0.9% margin. 

In her statement, Hinton expressed gratitude to her supporters and addressed her reasoning for not requesting a recount.

 “First of all, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the constituents from the Whaleyville borough who supported me during this past election,” Hinton said in a statement to Suffolk News-Herald. “Your encouragement, whether through a sign in your yard or a kind word, truly means a lot to me. As many of you know, the election for the Suffolk Public School Board’s Whaleyville Borough was a close contest, with my opponent narrowly defeating me by 57 votes, or 0.9%. I have received numerous requests to consider a recount; however, the financial responsibility and considerable costs associated with hiring an attorney and paying for recorders, counters, and judges fall on the losing candidate. This situation raises concerns about the accessibility of recounts for citizens with limited resources in close local elections.” 

Despite the close results, Hinton affirmed her commitment to advocating for change and community engagement: 

 “What makes America great is that opportunities should be available to all, not just the wealthy. So, I am committed to advocating for a change in state law to set up a new numerical recount threshold for local elections. Moreover, I plan to collaborate with local leaders, including pastors and elected officials, to boost voter turnout, as it is unacceptable to see participation in the 50 percentile range. Every vote matters, and everyone deserves the chance to make their voice heard.”

Hinton concluded her statement by emphasizing her dedication to the community: 

 “I am immensely proud of the campaign I ran, and 57 votes is undoubtedly significant when considering the margin of error in elections. While this result may fall into the realm of technicalities, I remain a vocal advocate for our community and all constituents. To the 2,721 voters who supported me, please know that I will continue fighting for fairness, equity, and social justice in our community, school system, and city. Thank you once again for your support and encouragement.”