Mayor of Houston suburb chosen by pulling a name from hat
DICKINSON, Texas (AP) - The race to be the mayor of a Houston suburb ended this week with the winner´s name being drawn from a top hat.
Sean Skipworth and Jennifer Lawrence were vying to be the next mayor of Dickinson, but they each ended up with 1,010 votes after a runoff election last month and a recount earlier this week.
According to Texas law, a tie in a race for public office can be resolved by casting lots.
Skipworth became mayor after a ping pong ball with his name was pulled out of a hat during a ceremony Thursday that lasted about 10 minutes, the Galveston County Daily News reported.
"I just thank everyone for coming out and voting," Skipworth said after he became mayor. "Literally, every vote counted."
Lawrence, meanwhile, said she trusted the process and believed the drawing "went how it was supposed to go," TV station KTRK reported.
Outgoing Dickinson, Texas mayor Julie Masters, right, holds up a ping-pong ball bearing the name of Sean Skipworth at Dickinson City Hall on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. The drawing settled a tie between Dickinson mayoral candidates Jennifer Lawrence and Sean Skipworth. (Stuart Villanueva/The Galveston County Daily News via AP)
"I´ve had dozens and dozens of people praying about this," she said. "I told Sean I would support him, and I will, and I think unity is the way to go to get stuff done."
Dickinson, located about 40 miles southeast of Houston, has more than 21,000 residents.
Friendswood, Texas mayor Mike Foreman draws a name out of a hat held by outgoing Dickinson, Texas mayor Julie Masters to settle a tie between Dickinson mayoral candidates Jennifer Lawrence and Sean Skipworth at Dickinson City Hall on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. (Stuart Villanueva/The Galveston County Daily News via AP)
Newly chosen Dickinson, Texas mayor Sean Skipworth hugs his wife Melissa Skipworth after his name was drawn from a hat to break a tie with opponent Jennifer Lawrence at Dickinson City Hall on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. (Stuart Villanueva/The Galveston County Daily News via AP)
