Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Contributing Editor

Angel Pilago secured the North Kona council seat in Saturday’s Primary Election.

It was unclear late Saturday whether Pilago, who held the seat for two terms before an unsuccessful run for mayor, had won the slot outright.

However, County Clerk Ken Goodenow confirmed early Sunday that Pilago had more than enough votes to vanquish the three other candidates.

Pilago scored 46.6 percent of the votes in the final print out, making it look like he would be in a November run-off against Debbie Hecht.

However, when the blank votes were thrown out, Pilago’s name was on 51.14 percent of the ballots.

Goodenow said the County Charter “clearly” says blank votes do not count, so Pilago earned the 50 percent plus one vote and earned the council seat.

According to the Charter Section 13-27: “Any candidate for mayor, prosecuting attorney or council receiving a majority of all votes validly cast for candidates for that office, excluding blank and spoiled ballots, shall be deemed elected.”

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