(The Center Square) – Two Republicans in Colorado state House elections have narrowly won their respective races after the secretary of state’s office conducted mandatory recounts.
In House District 16, which covers part of EL Paso County, Republican Rebecca Keltie got 20,641 votes, defeating Democratic incumbent Rep. Stephanie Vigil, who got 20,638 votes. Vigil gained three votes in the recount, according to the office.
Secretary of State Jena Griswold ordered the recount on November 25. Recounts are required by state statute when a race’s vote differential is under 0.5% of a winner’s total.
“The mandatory recount for HD-16 brought this race to a tie,” Vigil said in a statement. “It was only in the process of the canvass board’s review that three Vigil votes were reversed, which therefore tilted the election in Ms. Keltie’s favor by three votes. It’s my understanding that the canvass board’s report will be certified by the Secretary of State, which will make Ms. Keltie representative-elect for HD-16.”
Vigil did not rule out a legal challenge over the recount results.
“There are legal remedies available to me to investigate possible variables that would return the results to what the recount process initially determined, but I will need to consult with legal experts before making a decision of that magnitude,” Vigil said.
In House District 19, which includes parts of Weld and Boulder counties, Republican Dan Woog, who formerly represented House District 63, gained one vote in the recount for 28,420 total. Democrat Jillaire McMillan got 28,310 with no change from the recount.
Griswold ordered the recount of the race on November 27.
