
Former Rep. Allen B. West is among the speakers taking the stage early Thursday at the Conservative Political Action Conference. (Associated Press)

Former Rep. Allen B. West is among the speakers taking the stage early Thursday at the Conservative Political Action Conference. (Associated Press)

** FILE ** Then-Rep. Allen B. West, Florida Republican, speaks on Feb. 10, 2012, at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington. (Associated Press)

** FILE ** Then-Rep. Allen B. West, Florida Republican, speaks on Feb. 10, 2012, at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington. (Associated Press)

Rep. Allen B. West, Florida Republican, will not concede his re-election bid, even though ballot counts show Democratic challenger Patrick Murphy has a slim lead. A partial recount was not close enough to trigger an automatic recount of all votes. (Associated Press)

Rep. Allen B. West, Florida Republican, will not concede his re-election bid, even though ballot counts show Democratic challenger Patrick Murphy has a slim lead. A partial recount was not close enough to trigger an automatic recount of all votes. (Associated Press)

Rep. Allen B. West, Florida Republican, will not concede his re-election bid, even though ballot counts show Democratic challenger Patrick Murphy has a slim lead. A partial recount was not close enough to trigger an automatic recount of all votes. (Associated Press)

“If I come out on the short end of the stick, guess what? I salute the flag, I wish you good luck and I continue on, and hopefully my replacement will be able to go up and contend with these monumental issues.” - Rep. Allen B. West, Florida Republican (Associated Press)

“If I come out on the short end of the stick, guess what? I salute the flag, I wish you good luck and I continue on, and hopefully my replacement will be able to go up and contend with these monumental issues.” - Rep. Allen B. West, Florida Republican (Associated Press)