Challenger wins tight Benton PUD race after recount

The challenger for a position on the Benton Public Utility Commission is the victor in the November general election race after a manual recount gave him a seven-vote edge. 

Mike Massey collected 23,796 votes, or 49.73%, to incumbent Barry Bush’s 23,789 votes, or 49.72%, for Position 3.  

There were 262 write-in ballots.  

The Benton County Auditor’s office certified the recount on Dec. 10. 

Massey led by six votes when the tight margin triggered a required recount. That process started Dec. 2 and took much of the following week. 

Each commissioner on the three-member PUD board serves a six-year term and represents a different sector in the county.