The final tally was 760 votes for Luna and 748 for Claudio.
SPRINGFIELD - A recount was held on Saturday for the Ward 1 City Council position, and incumbent Zaida Luna remains the winner.
The recount was requested by her opponent, Jose Claudio, who lost by only 13 votes, 757 to 744, in the Nov. 5 election.
Saturday’s recount showed a change in the numbers, with Claudio closing the gap between him and Luna by one vote, according to Gladys Oyola, election commissioner.
The final tally was 760 votes for Luna and 748 for Claudio, she said.
“He picked up some votes and she picked up some votes,” Oyola said.
The recount began Saturday at 10 a.m. in City Hall and was finished by 1 p.m., according to Oyola. She said the results will be certified on Monday.
Claudio congratulated Luna on her win, and said it’s time to move on and focus on bringing the community together.
He has not ruled out running for the position again in the future. Claudio also thanked all the voters who cast ballots in the election.
The ward includes the North End and downtown area. Oyola said the cost of the recount has not been calculated yet, but it will be paid for by the city. There were seven paid election workers, as well as custodial staff and a police officer working at the recount, she said.
Luna previously had expressed concerns about how much the recount would cost the city.
Luna thanked the elections staff for their hard work on Saturday, and also the voters for having the faith in her to serve another term.
“I’m glad it’s over,” Luna said about the recount.