A recount appears likely in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor.
With all but two of Pennsylvania’s 9,236 precincts accounted for, Scott Conklin, of Rush Township, still has 35.3 percent of the vote; Jonathan Saidel, of Philadelphia, 34.9 percent; and Doris Smith-Ribner, also of Philadelphia, 29.8 percent, according to unofficial tallies Thursday at the state Department of State.
Conkin and Saidel are separated by 3,797 votes, the preliminary data show.
Those statewide counts, from the Tuesday primary election, are expected to be verified Friday. The standard verification procedure, which may take more than one day, includes a count of late-arriving provisional ballots.
If the verified totals put the winner’s margin of victory at less than one half of a percentage point, an automatic recount would be triggered, according to state law. Should that happen, Secretary of the Commonwealth Pedro Cortes would need to issue a recount order by Thursday next week, though defeated candidates may petition the state to stop any recount plans.
‘We believe strongly and humbly that a recount would only confirm what we already know,’ said Tor Michaels, a campaign aide to Conklin. He said the Conklin campaign has no plans to push for a recount.
‘We would love to put the heat of the campaign behind us and continue to reach out to all the voters,’ Michaels said. ‘ … We’re ready to move forward, together as one.’
The Saidel campaign has not yet taken a position on a potential recount, Saidel spokesman Marty Marks said. He said it’s waiting for the votes to be verified.
‘Before we make any decisions as to how we would proceed as a campaign, we want to make sure everyone’s vote is counted,’ Marks said. ‘ … If circumstances merit, of course we’d be in favor of (a recount).’
A recount, if authorized, would need to be complete by June 8. The Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor will face the Republican nominee, Jim Cawley, a Bucks County commissioner, in the November general election.
Earlier coverage: Conklin Aide Clarifies, Says Lawmaker Would Resign House Seat
