A hand recount of the Airway Heights ballots confirmed that Councilman Patrick Rushing defeated Mayor Matthew Pederson by two votes for the city’s top elective spot.

Final tally was the same as the machine count: Rushing 281, Pederson 279. There were 33 ballots that didn’t have a mark for either candidate.

The mayor’s title is largely ceremonial in Airway Heights which has a city manager form of government. The main job is running the city council, and the job appeared on the ballot as Council Chair, Position 1.

The results of this month’s Spokane County election were certified on Tuesday, but the counting isn’t over.

Elections officials next week will recount by hand votes in the race for Airway Heights mayor.

City Councilman Patrick Rushing’s lead over incumbent Mayor Matthew Pederson grew in the latest tally to two votes.