PRIEST RIVER — In yet another twist in West Bonner County School District’s Zone 5 trustee election, a recount on Thursday revealed a true winner in the race after initial numbers showed a tie between two of the candidates.

Samuel Hall will take his seat amongst the five-member board in July after beating Lisa Ewing, 38-36.

“Since there was an apparent tie for WBCSD NO. 83 Zone 5 Trustee we double-checked the tally books today and found a mistake,” Bonner County Clerk Mike Rosedale said.

While initial election results showed a deadlock at 37 votes, the recount revealed a discrepancy at the Spirit Valley precinct. After the recount, election officials determined Hall had 25 votes instead of the initial 24 reported, while Ewing received 22 votes instead of the initial 23.

A third candidate in the race, Debbie Kuhn, received 22 votes.

The pair were competing for the trustee position currently filled by Phillip Hixson, whose term ends in July.

Election results remain unofficial until canvassed by the Bonner County Board of Commissioners during a special meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 28 at 11 a.m.

Had the tie stood, the two candidates were scheduled to settle the deadlock in a coin toss, according to Idaho Code 33-503.

The gap between candidates running in Zone 1 was substantially wider, with Margaret W. Hall winning 218-69 over Shari Dovale.

Hall won big within the Lamb Creek district after totaling 124 votes to 22 for Dovale. Hall also won the Blue Lake, Priest Lake, West Priest River Bench and Wrenco precincts.

Dovale won the East Priest River precinct with a vote tally of 7-4.