Hilltown Archives — The Altamont Enterprise, November 24, 2011
Swain hangs on to clerk’s job within 8 votes
By Zach Simeone
KNOX — They were neck and neck, but incumbent Kimberly Swain has defeated newcomer Renée Quay in the race for Knox Town Clerk, as of Monday’s canvassing of absentee ballots.
“I certainly appreciate the support,” Swain told The Enterprise Tuesday. “Again, I will continue doing my very best in helping everyone in any way I possibly can.”
Swain, a Republican, will be entering her fourth two-year term as town clerk at the start of the new year. Quay, a Democrat and a newcomer to politics, works as the executive chef at the Township Tavern. She was largely inspired to run for office by her lineage, she said, as her mother is a former town clerk and judge, and her grandfather had been a judge as well.
After the unofficial vote count on Election Day, Swain was only one vote ahead of Quay, getting 468 votes, compared to Quay’s 467; after the absentee ballots were counted on Tuesday, Swain came out 8 votes ahead.
Quay said Tuesday that, while she was disappointed not to have won, she feels a strong sense of accomplishment.
“For this to be my first time ever running for office, and to run against an incumbent who’s been there for six years, I was not upset to have lost by such a close vote,” Quay said.
Asked if she would run again, Quay said, “Absolutely; I can’t get this close and not try again in two years.” She added, “It was a lot of work, but this was a great learning experience for me.”
Both candidates said they were impressed with each other’s campaign.
“She did fantastic, especially for her first time,” Swain said of Quay, “so, congratulations are in order for her, too.”
Said Quay, “It was a great campaign; it didn’t get dirty, and it was so close.”