After recount, unofficial results show challenger still ahead of Rep. West
(CNN) - Although both Republican Rep. Allen West and Democratic challenger Patrick Murphy picked up votes in a weekend recount, the unofficial numbers did not change each man's standing – with Murphy still ahead – and, regardless, the latest count may not factor into the final totals.
Following the recount of early ballots cast in St. Lucie County, Murphy had 65,841 votes to West's 52,704 in that county.
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Those numbers, however, were not included in unofficial results reported on the Florida Secretary of State's website Sunday evening. The campaigns acknowledged the county did not meet a noon deadline for submitting recounted vote tallies to the state.
As of Sunday evening, Murphy led the incumbent West 166,257 to 164,353 in Florida's 18th district, which includes three counties.
Murphy's campaign manager Anthony Kusich said in a statement Sunday, "No matter which results Allen West looks at, he's lost.
"This recount should once and for all lay to rest the false claims that West somehow was 'cheated' out of a seat in Congress," Kusich continued. "It is beyond time to put this campaign behind us and put the interests of the people of the Treasure Coast and Palm Beaches first."
Murphy has declared victory on previous occasions after results were reported.
In a post to his Facebook page on Sunday evening, West wrote, "From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank everyone for their support during this effort to ensure the integrity of our electoral process. It is truly humbling. I cannot state enough how proud I am to stand with each and every one of you, patriots all. You are the bedrock of our constitutional republic."
He said earlier in a statement, "Since Election Day we have been working for a fair and accurate accounting of the election outcome in which voters can put their full trust. We will review the results of today's recount and the other available data to determine how to proceed.
"I have been humbled by the support we have received, and the hard work of so many to ensure the integrity of this process. We look forward to the report which will be issued by the Secretary of State's auditors this coming week, which we hope will shed light on some of the outstanding issues."
West was referring to officials sent to the county by the state after irregularities surfaced, including an uncounted box of ballots and West's assertion that some early votes were counted twice.
St. Lucie County Supervisor of Elections Gertrude Walker ordered late Friday that all early votes in her county be recounted beginning Saturday morning. West's court petition for a recount was denied Friday, but a canvassing board ordered the retabulation, citing sufficient concern to grant the re-examination of the votes, according to CNN affiliate WPBF.
West, a first-term congressman and retired Army lieutenant colonel, and Patrick locked in one of the country's most expensive U.S. House races, according to a ranking prepared by the Center for Responsive Politics. West raised $17 million through mid-October and Murphy brought in $3.7 million, according for Federal Election Commission records.
- CNN's Robert Yoon, John Fricke, Dana Davidsen and Gregory Wallace contributed to this report
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I am a Vietnam Vet that if I saw Rep West Walking down the street Iwould cross over to the other side he is after all one the 47 percent.
God declared West the victor. (The good Lord told him so.)
Ergo, the candidate choices of mere mortals is irrelevant and any final decision claiming otherwise is clearly part of a satanic communist conspiracy.
someone please show this fool where the exit door is
GOOD RIDDANCE.
"I have been humbled by the support we have received"
Not enough, he hasn't been.
Give it up Allen you lost.
By far the majority of African-American public servants are honorable, dedicated, intelligent, and sane. West is the exception that confirms the rule.
I can see how he was voted out of office. His behavior in the House has been questionable. It strikes me as questionable not to be willing budge on budget issues.
time to send this nut out of the United States!
Go home LOSER!!!!!!
Pack it up, West.
Hey Loser get off the stage.
It looks like the koch bros. and its astroturf tea party failed to buy this guy's reelection. Pity.
Maybe the African American and Latino vote will help West retain his seat.....oh wait they didn't support him either so NEVERMIND!
oh allen, why don't you go to sleep ? prefferably for a long time.
West is so unhinged, he just can't let go and lose gracefully. He brought in over 5 times the amount of money as Murphy, and still could not win. It should be taken by everyone, everywhere, just what happens when you go full tilt tea-crazy in congress. A majority of Americans, thankfully, recognize the tea party as the deranged psycho-wing of the GOP, and they will vote you right out of that office after your first term, like poor loser West here 😉
Does this look like a guy who would care about facts??
West = Pathetic Loser
ALLEN = SORE LOSER
Come on Allen, give it up. You lost the first count and the (second) recount. Hang on to your dignity and stop humiliating the Republican Party as sore losers.
This guy West clearly has not yet given up!! It clearly is however, time for him to concede.
The more he argues the more he damages the Republican party. Not quite so bad as Romneys gifts outrage.
Regards,
Hodgson.
Allen West is not even qualified to be elected as a city's head dog catcher with the responsibility of driving around in a dog pound truck. How in the world this man got elected to congress in the first place is mind-boggling!
West was a divisive right wing wacko. He not only declared that he know for a fact that many democrats are communist, but when faced with criticism about his outrageous claim he actually double downed and made the same accusation.
The GOP, especially these Tea Party extremist, are just plain reckless. Thank God they are loosing elections. There is still hope for America.
Go away. You are the epitome of the divisive, intolerant, dogmatic and inflexible "Republican" that is an anathema to myself and any other "right of center" persons who have left the conservative cause as you attempt to define it.
You lost, fair and square (the American way) so now it is time for you to fade into the morass of the other Republican failures who hijacked what was once a viable and legitimate counterbalance to the Left, but has become a caraciture of a legitimate "political party."
NOTE TO ALLEN WEST:
Dude, you lost. Deal with it. You lost, and you are a loser. You are a losing loser who lost.
AHAHAHAHA!!!!
I think Mr. West needs to have a net thrown over him, and then he needs to be placed in a padded cell along with the other mental patients.