DERBY, Conn. (WTNH) — A Republican primary between the incumbent mayor of Derby and an alderman who federal prosecutors charged with illegally entering the U.S. Capitol during the riot on Jan. 6, 2021, is headed for a recount.

Final unofficial results showed a tight contest: Mayor Richard Dziekan had 192 votes, and challenger Gino DiGiovanni Jr. had 202. The total final turnout was 31.17%, according to the city clerk.

Races decided by less than 20 votes trigger an automatic recount.

DiGiovanni, 42, elected to the Derby Board of Aldermen & Alderwomen ten months after the riot, pressed ahead with his campaign despite his arrest on Aug. 15.

The Derby Republican Town Committee endorsed him in July over Dziekan, who chose not to seek the party’s backing.

“Everyone knows about it,” DiGiovanni said. “I’ve been truthful and forthcoming, and it’s been the same since day one on that.”

“Innocent until proven guilty,” Dziekan said of DiGiovanni. “I know the family. I know the father. I know Gino. He’s got to deal with that, and I’ll leave it at that.” 

Dziekan was first elected mayor in 2017 after unseating Democratic incumbent Anita Dugatto in a rematch of their 2015 contest.

Regardless of the final Republican primary results, Dziekan has said he will appear on the Nov. 7 ballot as a non-affiliated candidate.

Democrat Joe DiMartino, a former alderman, will also be on the ballot for the general election.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.