One Vote Separates Jason Allen and Dan Benishek
NORTHERN MICHIGAN -- It looks like a recount is likely in the race for the First Congressional District Republican Nomination. Only one vote separates Jason Allen and Dan Benishek.
Both candidates declared victory but in a statement this afternoon, Jason Allen accepted the unofficial results from the Secretary of State's Office that gave the nomination to Dan Benishek by only one vote.
The results couldn't be any closer in the race for the First Congressinal District Republican Nomination.
According to the Secretary of State's election results, Dr. Dan Benishek is the unofficial winner, but State Senator Jason Allen's camp says not so fast.
"It's been a great contest, and while the election results are close, they're inconclusive, and so we're looking at the Clerk's to continue their tallying process, and I'm sure in the coming weeks we'll have a final result in what the outcome is," said Denise DeCook, Jason Allen’s Spokesperson.
Both Allen and Benishek claimed victory, but Allen has since accepted the unofficial, single-vote margin that awarded the nomination to Benishek.
"I was happy to be a winner to tell you the truth, you know, we watched the returns last night, it was up, and down, it was scary, but we came out ahead and I'm pretty happy," said Benishek.
So when will it be official? All counties in the District have until August 17th to complete their canvass of the primary. Then on August 23rd, the State Board of Canvassers will meet and certify the results. After that, either candidate can file a petition for a recount.
"If one of the candidates did want to seek a recount, they'd have to file for that no later than 48 hours after the Board of State Canvassers certifies the election," said Ken Silfven, Spokesperson for the Michigan Secretary of State.
Allen's Spokesperson say if he's down by only one vote after the results are certified, he'll ask for a recount.
"Jason, I know, says I have to tell the 27 thousand people, almost 28 thousand people, that voted for me, I have to make sure that all the tallying and all the counting was done correctly, I owe it to my supporters," said DeCook.
"I'm going to let the process run out and I'm going to let the people that we've hired to advise us to protect the rights of our districts, and that's what we're going to do," said Benishek.
Because of the nature of the recount process, the earliest we'd see the results would be sometime in September. One vote, and for the candidates and the voters, several weeks to wait, and see.
When the winner of the Republican ticket is official, they'll face off against Democrat Gary McDowell in the November election for the First Congressional District seat.
The seat is currently held by Democrat Bart Stupak who is retiring.
