Rep. Al Doty's 76-vote margin of victory stands as this week's recount in the House District 12B race was completed Thursday. The totals that were forwarded to the state canvassing board show Doty winning 10,073-9,997.
Republican challenger Mike LeMieur conceded the election and dropped his challenge of votes in Crow Wing County. He said he intended to do the same in Morrison County but as of late Thursday that office had not yet been contacted.
Morrison County votes were recounted Wednesday. The Crow Wing County votes were recounted on Thursday in the Land Services Building in Brainerd.
Al Doty
Doty said Thursday at the Crow Wing County recount site that it was reassuring to watch how close the recount totals were to the Nov. 4 voting.
"It's very comforting to see this process," he said. "There is no doubt that these are the real numbers."
He said the recount results were a great compliment to the officials in Morrison and Crow Wing counties who chose the election methods and to the election officials.
LeMieur, the Little Falls City Council president, said he met a lot of good people on the campaign trail and that it was a worthwhile experience.
"I haven't shut the door (to another legislative campaign). ... I'm leaving it open right now," he said.
Crow Wing County Auditor Deborah Erickson said the recount process for 12B went smoothly with officials counting about 5,000 ballots in 2-1/2 hours.
Deb Wallace Hasskamp and Joe Radinovich, DFL observers, checked ballot numbers during the recount for the U.S. Senate race between Sen. Norm Coleman and Democratic challenger Al Franken Thursday at the Crow Wing County Land Services Building in Brainerd. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls » Purchase reprints of this photo.
"I'm feeling very confident in our tally. It's validating the process."
Morrison County Auditor Russ Nygren said each candidate gained two votes in the 12B race after the recount.
Former state Rep. Paul Gazelka, who was a Crow Wing County observer for the campaign of Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., said the recount experience in the contest between Coleman and Democratic challenger Al Franken gave him added confidence in the county's elections.
"The process is fair and thorough," he said.
Gazelka watched officials recount 1,695 votes in one Brainerd and one Baxter precinct. He challenged one vote in that group of ballots.
MIKE O'ROURKE may be reached at mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5860.
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