Shawyn Patterson-Howard has declared victory in the Democratic primary for mayor of Mount Vernon, New York.
A count of the remaining absentee and affidavit ballots widened her lead over Mayor Richard Thomas. The count of the remaining 113 ballots at the Westchester Board of Elections this week gave Patterson-Howard a 209-vote edge over Thomas.
Mayor Thomas has filed a lawsuit suggesting the Board of Elections rigged the June 25 primary to keep him from a second term. The lawsuit seeks voter records and a new primary election if fraud and irregularity are found.
Patterson-Howard would become the city’s first woman elected mayor if she wins in November.
