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Three votes.
That's the margin by which Connie Cain earned election Monday to Wheeling City Council's Third Ward seat.
So much for the "my-vote-doesn't-count" mentality that many have when they choose not to go to the polls.
Following Monday's canvass of votes from the May 14 municipal election, Cain, with 202 votes, narrowly beat Jermone "Jake" Henry with 199 and Chris Hamm with 188. Cain went into the canvass trailing by two votes, but all five provisional ballots tallied her way, and now she will join the new council starting July 1.
Cain's victory is about more than just showing that every vote does indeed count. She also becomes the first Black woman -- and only the second Black city resident -- to serve on Wheeling City Council. The other was Clyde Thomas who was elected to council in 1971 and served until 1990.
"I would like to thank everyone who came out and voted for me," Cain said. "I would also like to thank my campaign staff who came out on Saturday (May 11) and made sure we knocked on every door.
"It's a blessed moment. I'll be the first Black woman on council, and it's been a long time since we had someone to represent us."
Cain, 55, is a resident of East Wheeling and is married to Kendall Cain. She is the mother of three and has nine grandchildren.
"We have to be united if we are to get anything done," Cain added. "I've prayed for this moment for a whole year, and thank Jesus Christ."
Indeed.
Congratulations are in order for Cain. She will join Tony Assaro, Ben Seidler, Jerry Sklavounakis, Ty Thorngate, Dave Palmer and new Mayor Dennis Magruder in leading the city starting July 1. And with the many happenings currently under way, there is much work to do.