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Democratic challenger Patrick Murphy declared victory Sunday over Rep. Allen B. West after a partial recount this weekend showed him still leading by more than half a percentage point — though Mr. West is refusing to concede, and questions linger over how ballots were treated in one Florida county.
Combative Republican tea party icon Rep. Allen B. West won't concede his re-election fight despite Florida ballot counts showing Democratic challenger Patrick Murphy with a slim lead.
Incumbent Republican Rep. Allen B. West cut into Democrat Patrick Murphy's lead in a partial recount early Sunday, but still came up short of the challenger, who was declared the winner in the razor-thin District 18 race.
The campaign of Rep. Allen B. West, a Florida Republican freshman and tea party favorite who trails Democrat Patrick Murphy by 2,456 votes with 100 percent of the votes counted, said Wednesday the controversial lawmaker will seek a recount in a race that is "far from decided."
Rep. Allen B. West, a Republican, took the first steps in a legal challenge Wednesday in his closely watched re-election bid even as his Democratic opponent, Patrick Murphy, declared a razor-thin victory.
West campaign manager Tim Edson said the congressman "will pursue every legal means necessary to ensure a fair election."
"This race is far from decided, and there is no rush to declare an outcome," Mr. Edson said. "Ensuring a fair and accurate counting of all ballots is of the utmost importance."
Inside Politics: West refuses to concede race, files legal motion →
