Earlier this week, Bluestem crossposted Stewart Mills is wasting his money on a recount, by Max Hailperin, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Statistics at Gustavus Adolphus College. In 2014, Hailperin was awarded the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) Medallion “in recognition of his service and contributions to election-related technology and legislation."
Mills could have read the post (or used some common sense) and spared everybody some time and money. Instead, he had to get both sides mobilized before he discovered what Hailperin discussed. Bluestem doesn't think that math is for smartypants; instead, those formulas pretty much work the same for everyone.
Fortunately, Mills came to his senses in time to let county election staff and volunteers from both parties spend the time with their families in this festive season.
Jerry Burnes, the managing editor of the Mesabi Daily News, reports in Mills back off recount in 8th Congressional District:
Stewart Mills dropped his effort for a recount in the 8th Congressional District race against incumbent U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan.
Nolan, DFL-Crosby, defeated the Republican challenger Mills on Nov. 8 by 2,009 votes, or 0.56 percent, just shy of an automatic recount.
Mills said earlier in the week he would request a recount at his own expense, but withdrew the effort Friday and said he would donate a portion of the money to The Salvation Army. . . .
Minnesota’s Secretary of State’s office said a recount would cost Mills $102,053. A margin of victory of 0.5 percent would have triggered an automatic recount paid for by the state. Mills said earlier this week he had offers to cover some of the cost, and would seek donors before paying for the rest out of pocket.
In the end, Mills said the “cost estimates of this recount in terms of volunteer time and expense was excessive.”
Nolan commended Mills’ decision to withdraw the request in a statement Friday.
“A carefully selected state audit of the results in each of the 18 counties found each of us gaining 1 vote, for a net change of zero. Given the precision and accuracy of Minnesota’s election system, it was extremely unlikely the outcome would change,” Nolan said in a statement.
Both candidates also tipped their caps to state and county election workers for their work.
Given Mills' initial petulance, safe to say the voters dodged empowering an adult baby in Minnesota's Eighth.
Photo: Stewart Mills III, failed congressional candidate. If you've got the money, honey, Minnesota has the recount. (Photo by Mark Stuart via Mesabi Daily News.)
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