The Democrat rivals had another close tussle, while Tracy McDaniel ran away with the Republican nomination in Tuesday’s runoff election for the vacant Cherokee County District 7 council seat.

In the Democrat runoff, Thomas Moss was the top vote-getter with 155 and the apparent winner. But since his margin of victory was less than 1 percent over Clay Greer, who got 152 votes, there will be an automatic recount today.

Interestingly, Greer edged Moss by a scant nine votes in the primary Nov. 10.

“We have a lot of friends on both sides,” said Moss, a small business owner. “I’m just glad that I’ve been part of this and I’m glad for the support.”

The folksy Moss concluded his remarks by saying, “Don’t count the horse out yet, I’m still ridin’.”

Greer, who is employed in the Blacksburg Public Works Department and served as Blacksburg’s fire chief, wasn’t giving up just yet.

“I’ll just sit back and wait for the recount,” said Greer, who was the lone candidate to appear at election commission headquarters.

McDaniel, on the other hand, built on his vote margin in the Republican runoff. He picked up 488 votes on Tuesday, while Donnie Lee Smith received 378.

“It was just a lot of hard work,” said McDaniel, who works in his family’s construction business. “I just appreciate everybody who came out.”

The vote totals are unofficial until they are certified later in the week.

With the general election slated for Tuesday, Dec. 29, the candidates still have a month left on the campaign trail.

“I know we have a whole lot of work ahead of us the next month,” McDaniel said.

DEMOCRATS

Thomas Moss: 155 Clay Greer: 152

REPUBLICANS

Tracy McDaniel: 488 Donnie Smith: 378