This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The vote between the second and third top vote-getters in Ogden's mayoral race turned out to be so close that candidate Susie Van Hooser could have requested a recount.
But she won't. In a statement released Friday, Van Hooser said she was honored and humbled by the number of people who urged her to seek another vote tally.
The Sept. 13 primary narrowed the eight candidates to two: Weber County Public Information Officer Mike Caldwell had 2,040 votes, while two-term City Councilman Brandon Stephenson came in second with 1,375. Van Hooser followed close on his heels with 1,331.
According to the Ogden City Recorder's office, any margin less than 52 — the number of voting precincts in the city — qualifies candidates to request a recount. That request would have had to come from Van Hooser by 5 p.m. Friday.
"The city deserves to have a debate for as long as possible to determine their next leader," Van Hooser said. "I cannot in good conscience hamper that process trying to see if I deserve the chance to be the challenger."
Van Hooser, who serves on the City Council, lost to two-term Mayor Matthew Godfrey in 2007 by 449 votes. After 12 years as the city's chief executive, Godfrey chose not to seek a fourth term.
Voters will choose between Caldwell and Stephenson in November.
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