Rep. Franson Keeps House Seat
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Minn. (WCCO) -- After today's recount, Republican Rep. Mary Franson will keep her seat in the Minnesota House.
Franson won by 12 votes over DFL challenger Bob Cunniff -- after the Nov. 6 election Franson lead by only one vote.
"You can imagine I was frantic, and I was completely sick to my stomach," said Franson. "I couldn't even sleep that night. I was just sick."
Rep. Franson Keeps House Seat
Franson then picked up 10 more votes after a judge ordered 35 ballots in Douglas County to be discarded due to a polling place error.
Franson maintained her 11-vote lead in Douglas County on Wednesday. On Thursday, Otter Tail County finished their recount and Franson picked up one more vote, making her the winner.
"Looking back from election night and the days after, you can't lament on the past, on what I could've done differently to increase my margin of victory," Franson said. "I am very grateful for that one vote. I am very humble by the victory. I am now focused on serving my constituent and getting back to St. Paul."
Cunniff plans to challenge four ballots in Otter Tail County. Those ballots will be sent to the Minnesota State Canvassing board. The election results are unofficial until they're certified by the board on Dec. 4.
