Retired Col. Martha E. McSally, a Republican, retained a small lead over Rep. Ron Barber, D-Ariz., Wednesday, as initial ballot-counting ended in the 2nd District. McSally leads Barber by 161 votes, according to a local affiliate. As a result, the race will automatically go into a recount because it is within a 200-vote margin mandated by Arizona law. The Associated Press has not yet called the race in McSally’s favor, but the Republican claimed victory on Wednesday night. “All ballots are now counted and the voters have made their choice,” McSally said in a statement. “After nearly three years, some twenty million dollars in ads, and two campaigns, it’s time to come together. We are united in our love for Southern Arizona.” “I thank Congressman Barber for being willing to stand up and serve as he has,” she added. “While we still have a recount to go, we expect similar results and will provide the necessary oversight to ensure accurate results.” The Barber camp did not concede.
“With the unofficial counting of votes now complete, the result is so close that the law requires an automatic recount,” said Barber spokeswoman Ashley Nash-Hahn in a statement. ”The law is written this way because every election includes some human error, and with an election as close as this one, it is important that we ensure the integrity of the results.”
This marks the first recount in the history of congressional elections in this state, according to the Arizona Republic. The process would start Dec. 1, and many Arizona political operatives predict litigation in this race could drag out through the month.
Full Article: Martha McSally Ahead As Race Goes to Recount with Ron Barber.