Judge dismisses Toprani’s petition

By KRISTIE LINDEN
klinden@yourmvi.com
About a month after the general election, state Rep. Bud Cook is declaring victory in the race for the 49th Legislative District.
Yesterday, Washington County Court Judge Gary Gilman dismissed the lawsuit filed by Cook’s challenger, Steve Toprani, D-Monongahela, that claimed the board of elections made errors.
The race between Cook, R-West Pike Run Township, and Toprani was too close to call on election night. At the end of that night, Cook was in the lead by 109 votes.
The margin began to narrow almost immediately as absentee, military and provisional ballots were counted.
Washington County Board of Elections concluded its counting process at the end of November, stating Cook was up by 11 votes.

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