Recount Underway in Va.'s AG Race

The recount in Virginia's cliff-hanging race for attorney general is underway in part of the Commonwealth.

Fairfax County and the cities of Alexandria and Chesapeake all started their recount Monday, with the rest of the state joining in Tuesday and Wednesday. A mere 165 votes separated Democrat Mark Herring and Republican Mark Obenshain, with Herring holding the edge. Herring's campaign said that margin of victory has grown to 185 votes.

"We feel very confident that Mark Herring is the Attorney General of Virginia," said Herring campaign spokesperson Ellen Qualls on Monday. "He's up 165 votes into today, already in the recount we've picked up 20 net more votes on top of that. And we think at the end of the process, probably on Friday, the court in Richmond will declare Mark Herring the winner in this contest."

Nearly 100 election observers recruited by the two parties were in place at the Fairfax County courthouse at 7 a.m., but the recount hadn't started yet.

Challenged ballots will head to Richmond on Thursday to a recount court. The results of the recount should be known by the end of the week.

Obenshain and Herring are battling to succeed Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. Both are state senators.

"I think this is anybody's election. I think either candidate has a chance to win this and that's why the process needs to be fair, open, transparent and accurate," Ashby said.

Obenshain and Herring are battling to succeed Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. Both are state senators.
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us