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A modern-day high-noon duel
Back in 2004, incumbent Howard Calkins was facing a stiff mayoral race against challenger Bob Stearley. For the winner? Mayor of Edgewood, New Mexico. For the loser? Stuck just living in New Mexico. When the votes were tallied after the race, Stearley had beaten the incumbent by a single vote. But not one to take his loss lightly, Calkins filed a lawsuit, alleging that a Stearley relative had illegally voted.
Following a one-day trial, the court invalidated five votes, three for Stearley and two for Calkins. Which meant that the election was tied. Both candidates appealed the case, and it took until earlier this month to finally get an answer. That answer? The State Court of Appeals said the lower court did everything right, and there was indeed a tie.
Which meant that the candidates had to turn to a game of chance to settle the matter once and for all. So Stearley and Calkins met in the office of Municipal Judge Bill White just before high noon to draw…cards.
As a crowd gathered around in wild anticipation, a new deck was opened, the jokers were removed, and each candidate was given a chance to cut the deck (Stearley made a cut, Calkins knocked). The cards were carefully spread across a table, and Stearley went first, flipping over a seven of diamonds. As the crowd held its breath, the incumbent snarled, slowly reached to the table, and pulled a card back to him. Toying with the crowd, he paused again before flipping over the winning high card, a ten of hearts.
Calkins was obviously “tickled to death,” even though he’ll only hold office for another year and a half before having to again deal with reelection. In preparation for that election Calkins says he’s learning how to stack a deck.
