Just 15 votes separated two candidates for a seat on the Williamsburg-James City County School Board Tuesday night.

With all precincts reporting, challenger Ty Hodges held the lead over incumbent Sarah Ortego for the Jamestown District seat on the board, with 3,814 votes to Ortego’s 3,799. Hodges had more votes in three of four precincts.

The results, however, are not final until absentee and provisional ballots are tallied and the winner is confirmed by the state Department of Elections. A winning margin this small could trigger a recount.

Hodges said Tuesday night that he was shocked by the results since Ortego, who has been on the school board since 2021, initially held the lead. The 34-year-old said he ran for the seat because he wanted to make a better world for his 3-year-old daug

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