The election results certified by the Board of Elections Nov. 17 showed Republican Christina Kelley G. Merrill with a 13 vote deficit behind Democrat Ellen Frost in the District 2 race for the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. Merrill posted the below message to her supporters on her website. Meanwhile, Frost has declared victory and is raising funds to defend against any possible legal challenge from Merrill.

Thank you to the nearly 20,000 Voters of Buncombe County who voted for me in District -2! Thank you to friends and family for all of your support through the election process - while we await a recount - I will continue with the same diligence and perseverance to represent the citizens of our County , our hard working families that have not had a voice on the Commission for far too long!

Working to reign in County debt and spending - lifting the burden off of our hard working Tax payers, property owners and entrepreneurs!

Although, we will have to fight in the upcoming days, I continue to feel the utmost gratitude and know there continues to be a need for our Citizens to have a conservative voice of reason on the Buncombe County Commission!

~ Christina Kelley Gallegos-Merrill