Judge denies Rep. Allen West's recount request
A St. Lucie County judge in Florida on Friday ruled against Rep. Allen West's request for a recount of all early votes cast in his district, denying the one-term Republican's latest cry for a do-over in the election he officially lost last week.
West, a conservative firebrand and hero within the Tea Party, had filed legal complaints even before his loss was certified Saturday, suggesting foul play from St. Lucie County Elections Supervisor Gertrude Walker - a Democrat - in particular. He has not yet conceded. According to the Associated Press, West trails Democrat Patrick Murphy, who declared victory last week and is in Washington for freshman orientation, by 1,900 votes - outside the margin for an automatic recount.
In a statement Friday, members of West's campaign said while they "respect the court's decision," they "remain concerned the voters in St. Lucie County will not be able to have confidence in the integrity of the electoral process and their right to a fair election, and will continue pursue all legal options to ensure they do."
Murphy's office - which CBS News Miami reports is already scrambling for funds to prepare for what West promises will be a lengthy legal battle - also released a statement: "Once again, Congressman Allen West's political stunts have been dismissed by the courts. Instead of admitting defeat, Allen West wants to keep counting votes until he gets the outcome he desires. That's not how elections work and that is not how the law works. Patrick is ready to put the campaign behind him and move forward with addressing the challenges facing the people of the Treasure Coast and Palm Beaches, first and foremost of which is getting Florida back to work."
Another of West's complaints, regarding absentee ballots, is still pending, the Palm Beach Post reports.
