After Recount, Steve West Concedes in SD21 Special
Last week we told you Team West planned to push for a recount and hinted they might go further based on “irregularities” chatter. We’ve now got finality. The recount is done, the board is set, and Steve West has publicly conceded his third-place finish. That means the special heads to a two-way on Tuesday, September 23, with Republican Jason Dickerson facing Democrat Debra Shigley.
If you missed the earlier background on the recount talk and “irregularities” claims, start here: “West Campaign Plans Recount, Cites Voting ‘Irregularities’.” We were transparent about our skepticism then, and the recount result speaks for itself now.
For extra context, Debra Shigley topped the first round with 39.5%. That’s a standout number in this district and higher than Democrats have been pulling here, including last year when the district backed Donald Trump at the top of the ticket. Republicans should see that as a wake-up call to rally behind Dickerson and close the deal in the runoff.
West posted the following statement on his campaign’s Facebook Page:
“Well folks, in racing we call this a photo finish, and we made sure to race all the way through the checkered flag. But after a thorough analysis of the vote data and an official recount it looks like we came up a few votes short of advancing to the runoff.
I want to thank everyone who poured their time, energy, and financial resources into this campaign. It was a tough race, and we could not have done it without you. I am proud of the campaign we ran and the people who powered it.
I also want to give a shout-out to Mark Davis for his help confirming the integrity of this election. And to Cherokee County elections registrar Anne Dover who proactively worked with Mark to clean up the Cherokee County voter file months before this election. Their work is a great example of how election officials and election integrity watchdogs can restore faith and trust in our elections.
I look forward to what the future holds for our community, but for now this good ole boy from Freehome is going to take a break from politics to enjoy some time with friends and family.
Until next time,
Steve West
Good on Steve for running hard and finishing with grace. And yes, the recount confirmed what election officials had already reported. Time to move forward.
What Republicans need to know
- Runoff Election Day: Tuesday, September 23, 2025. Polls 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Early voting begins: Saturday, September 13, and runs Sept. 13–19. Check your county site for locations and hours.
Shigley’s first-round showing was fueled by money and momentum. Media tallies pegged the field’s fundraising at roughly $1.1 million, and Democrats are treating this as a live pickup target. That should light a fire on the right to unify behind Dickerson and turn out every available vote. I mentioned during a recent podcast how the media absolutely loved that she came in first place, which I am sure has helped create a sense of momentum for Democrats.
Bottom line for my friends in Cherokee and North Fulton: this isn’t complicated. Show up for Jason Dickerson in the runoff. Bring a neighbor. Beat the headlines, not just the spread.
