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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) — The Latest on the recount in the Virginia House of Delegates race in Newport News (all times local):
6:10 p.m.
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe says the one-vote margin that appears to have ended GOP rule in the state House is a vivid reminder of the power of a single vote.
He tells The Associated Press, "We're now 50-50. And we won it by 1 vote. Don't tell me that every vote doesn't count."
A Democratic challenger appears to have won a recount on Tuesday by one vote, putting the partisan balance in the House at a tie. It would mean a rare power-sharing agreement may have to be brokered.
Shelly Simonds beat three-term incumbent Republican Del. David Yancey in the 94th District in Newport News, 11,608 to 11,607, in a dramatic hours-long recount that ended only after the precinct ballots were exhausted and provisional ballots were examined.
The recounted votes still must be certified by a court on Wednesday.
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5:50 p.m.
A single vote may spell the end of Republican control in Virginia's House of Delegates.
A Democratic challenger appears to have won a recount on Tuesday by one vote, putting the partisan balance in the House at a tie. It would mean a rare power-sharing agreement may have to be brokered.
Shelly Simonds beat three-term incumbent Republican Del. David Yancey in the 94th District in Newport News, 11,608 to 11,607, in a dramatic hours-long recount that ended only after the precinct ballots were exhausted and provisional ballots were examined.
The recounted votes still must be certified by a court on Wednesday, although officials said they expected that no ballots would be challenged.
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4 p.m.
Republican control of Virginia's House of Delegates may be in peril now that a Democratic challenger seems to have won a recount.
Election officials in Newport News said Tuesday that Shelly Simonds beat incumbent Republican Del. David Yancey by 1 vote. The recounted votes still must be certified by a court Wednesday, although officials expected that no ballots would be challenged.
Yancey had won the 94th District by just 10 votes in November. It was the slimmest margin among the four House races that sparked recounts. Two recounts remain in other districts.
November's elections had shrunk the Republicans' 66-34 majority in the House to a 51-49 edge. A Simonds victory would split party control at 50-50.
The parties may have to reach a power-sharing agreement to avoid chaos in the House.
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9 a.m.
A recount is set begin for a Virginia House of Delegates race that could alter the power dynamic in Richmond.
Election officials in Newport News on Tuesday will rescan ballots cast in the 94th District. It's one of four recounts that were scheduled following extremely close House races this year.
November's elections had shrunk the Republicans' 66-34 majority in the House to a 51-49 edge. The recounts will determine if the GOP maintains control.
The 94th District has by far the slimmest margin and the greatest chance to flip. Republican incumbent David Yancey won in November by 10 votes against Democrat Shelly Simonds.
A Republican delegate in Fairfax County held onto his seat following his district's recount last week. Two more recounts are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.
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