Republican Brian Triplett has won a tight race for Lynchburg treasurer, according to unofficial results from the Virginia Department of Elections.
Triplett took home about 51% of the vote, while his independent opponent, Brian Witt, won about 48%. All Lynchburg votes have been counted and will be checked and approved by the Electoral Board on Thursday morning, city Registrar Daniel Pense said.
Before provisional votes were counted Wednesday, Pense said the race was too close to call. Triplett gained 720 votes from provisional ballots, according to the Virginia Department of Elections, which widened the lead that he held since election night.
Triplett joins four other Republicans who won Lynchburg races: Del. Wendell Walker, Commonwealth’s Attorney Bethany Harrison, Sheriff Donald Sloan and Commissioner of the Revenue Mitchell Nuckles. All except Triplett are incumbents.
Treasurer Robert Bailey is retiring, which left the seat open for Triplett and Witt to campaign for this fall. Triplett, who has been a public school teacher for about 20 years and has served as treasurer for various political and civic organizations, said he’s committed to maintaining Bailey’s legacy of accuracy and integrity.
“I will carry on those high standards, and I’m excited to get to work,” Triplett said in an interview Wednesday evening. “I’m honored to win this election, and I want to thank the voters who trust me with this job.”