MANITOU SPRINGS, CO -- Donna Ward is finally victorious!

At 7:20 p.m. on Saturday night, after polls had closed in all mountain time zone districts, Steve declared Donna Ward the winner of this year's election while in the chat room as three "Friendship Board regulars" cheered and celebrated Donna's victory.

Shortly after the announcement, Steve walked over to Donna's residence and swore her in as the 9th Hair Consultant in Steve's "hair history." As the newly elected Hair Consultant, it will be Donna's job to serve as supporter, go-to-person, advice-giver and chief executive for Steve in helping him grow his hair long and beautiful.

Unlike her haunting and humiliating loss last year, 2002's election night was drastically different and much more memorable for Donna Ward. From the start, Donna seemed to win the friendship of many of Steve's Internet friends and gained three public endorsements during the campaign. To put "icing on the cake," even Eric Ward, Donna's rebellious teenage son (see picture above), cast his vote for her mother and celebrated with her on election night.

"I know this election was for fun and all, but this is one of the best days that I can remember." exclaimed Donna as she marveled at the "sea of red" on the electoral college map. The native Texan and long-time Manitou Springs resident again becomes Hair Consultant, a position she once held nearly three years ago.

Ward gained just over 50% of all votes cast in this year's election and won 218 electoral votes. Boki Evans, a fellow candidate from Manitou Springs, gained 150 electoral votes and Kendra Morrell trailed with 68. (Click here to view the official results of the election.)

Boki Evans, who was undoubtedly Donna's chief opponent in the hotly contested election, was very conciliatory in his concession speech. "I am grateful for the opportunity to run with (Donna) … It was a lot of fun. It was a win-win situation for Steve and his hair."

Evans gained 37% of the popular vote (compared to Donna's 51%) and carried many districts including Colorado Springs (25 electoral votes), Spice of Life Café (21), LongHairLovers (34), International Voters (16), New Mexico (16), Michigan (7) and New Jersey (10).

Kendra Morrell, considered a third-party candidate, performed better than expected. Although she only garnered 12% of the vote, she won three electoral districts: Garufi Family (31), Morton Bible Study (33) and Beth Israel Church (4).

The key to Donna's victory was winning all 54 electoral votes from the massive Manitou Springs district. In fact, IF her slim 5-vote victory over Boki (Donna 33, Boki 28) had somehow been erased by a last minute flurry of Boki voters, a hypothetical 54 electoral vote turn around would have delivered the victory Boki, instead of Donna.

"I told Donna all along that she really needed to win Manitou Springs and with Boki being from Manitou as well as everyone liking him, it made it all the harder … but she did it." said Steve.

After Manitou Springs gave Donna a decisive lead, Teller County's 21 electoral votes put Donna over the top and clinched her victory before the Far West districts (Bakersfield, Nevada, Alaska and Hawaii) even reported their tallies.

"For awhile (before Manitou Springs was announced) it went back and forth like a see-saw. Donna won a district and she was on top. Then Boki won a district and he was on top. It was amazing!" exclaimed Steve.

All agree that Donna's endorsement by Scotty L., Steve's web designer, greatly helped Donna's cause. Scotty (see adjacent picture) worked harder than all else in convincing people to send in their vote for Donna, many of whom lived in districts and states that were known for having few voters. In fact, Scotty was directly responsible for Donna's victories in Colorado General (29), Monument/Black Forest (6), New York (10), Texas (4), USA General (13) and Alpine Studio (18).

As for Donna, she looks forward to serving as Steve's Hair Consultant and spoke of her original campaign slogan: An Exciting Time for Steve's Hair.

"I especially want to thank Scotty for pushing me to stay in the election .... Boki and Kendra I may call on you both for advice, you two are awesome I had very stiff competition, I only won by a slim margin....I LOVE YOU GUYS AND ALL THE COOL, VOTERS." wrote Donna on the Friendship Board.

Donna will serve out her one-year term and stated she does not plan to run for re-election in Spring 2003.

"I think she wants to quit while she's on top …and I don't blame her." said Steve.