Deadline passes on recount, Allen West still won't concede defeat

FORT PIERCE, Fla. (AP) — It appears that Florida Republican Congressman Allen West has lost his House seat.

A recount was held this weekend in St. Lucie County, after West challenged the results of the Nov. 6 election. The original tally showed Democratic challenger Patrick Murphy had won by just over 1,900 votes, a margin wide enough to head off an automatic recount. But, GOP officials suspected irregularities in the early voting ballots and requested the recount.

St. Lucie County officials actually missed a noon deadline to finish processing the 37,000 ballots in question. So, without any changes reported, the original results, favoring Murphy, will be certified, unless the state grants an emergency exemption. The West campaign may still seek that exemption.

But, a Murphy campaign adviser says, as far as they’re concerned, it’s over.

West, was a first-term tea party favorite and one of only two black Republicans in the House.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.