Amanda Funaro

Amanda Funaro conceded in her race for Jefferson County District 2 Commissioner Thursday and threw her support to fellow candidate Heidi Eisenhour.

Funaro was the third-place finisher behind Eisenhour and Lorna Smith in this week's Primary Election.

In a letter sent to The Leader following Thursday's vote count, Funaro said it was clear she would not be one of the final two candidates advancing to November's General Election.

"I am disappointed to not have the opportunity to serve as your county commissioner, but I’m happy for the attention my campaign has brought to the plight of working families in our county, and the need for affordable housing and sensible approaches to infrastructure development," Funaro wrote. "I fervently hope these issues will continue to be a primary focus in this race. I wish my opponents well as they move forward — it takes great determination, strength, and vulnerability to enter the political arena."

Another 53 votes were counted in the District 2 race Thursday, with 23 going to Eisenhour, 15 to Smith and 15 to Funaro.

Eisenhour continues to lead in the race, with 42.94 percent of all ballots cast.

Smith had 33.47 percent, while Funaro had 20.65 percent in the new tally.

The gap between Eisenhour and Smith stood at 357 votes Thursday, an increase of eight votes to Eisenhour's advantage since Wednesday.

The vote count stood at 1,620 votes for Eisenhour; 1,263 for Smith; and 779 for Funaro.

Funaro, in her concession, encouraged her voters to stand with Eisenhour come November.

"At this critical moment of economic insecurity and pandemic backlash, we need to elect the leader who can unite rather than divide our county. I believe that Heidi Eisenhour will be this champion, and I will be endorsing Heidi Eisenhour to be our next county commissioner. I encourage my supporters to do the same," Funaro wrote.

"I want to assure you all that I’m not going anywhere. This is my community, and my determination to do my part has never been stronger. I will continue to speak out as an advocate for housing, equity, and the underdog at every turn," Funaro added. "We still live in a democracy, and the voices of the people matter. I will do my best to continue to speak up and be a voice for those who feel they aren’t being heard."

Funaro closed by thanking her supporters and struck a note of optimism.

"The time we are in feels uncertain, but here is what I know to be true about the residents of our fine county: we are resilient, and we are stronger when we work together. I believe in us, and I know we will get through this pandemic," she wrote. "We have the capacity, creativity, curiosity, and heart to come out the other side, even better than we are today."

Jefferson County Elections Division staff said the next vote tally is planned for 4 p.m. Friday.