Even though the numbers show a “clear defeat” for Tea Partier Allen West, he’s stubbornly refusing to concede in Florida’s 18th Congressional District — even in light of overwhelming news reports projecting victory for Democrat Patrick Murphy. On a conference call with reporters this afternoon, Florida Democrats called on Congressman West to respect the democratic process and the results of the election, so that the people of Palm Beach and southern Florida can move forward with their democratically chosen elected Representative.
Numbers show West defeat, but he’s not conceding [Sun Sentinel] “The numbers show a small margin, but a clear defeat for U.S. Rep. Allen West, the tea party Republican seeking a second term in Congress…The exact percentage is significant, because the gap isn’t small enough to trigger an automatic recount. Florida law requires a recount when the results are closer than 0.5 percent. The West-Murphy gap is 0.78 percent.”
NBC News: Patrick Murphy Projected Winner in CD-18 [NBC]
Murphy takes lead over Tea Party hero West [Palm Beach Post] “Conservative firebrand and Tea Party hero U.S. Rep. Allen West, one of the highest profile Republicans in the nation, appeared headed for defeat early Wednesday in Congressional District 18. Democrat Patrick Murphy, a political newcomer, held a narrow lead over West in what was one of the most expensive and bitter Congressional campaigns in the nation.”
Patrick Murphy defeats Allen West, avoids automatic recount [Miami Herald] “As Florida elections results were updated overnight, Democrat Patrick Murphy’s lead over Republican Rep. Allen West widened and Murphy now appears to have defeated West by 50.4 percent to 49.6 percent — a wide enough margin to avoid a recount.”
Controversial Florida Rep. Allen West trails in tight contest [LA Times] “The race was one of the tightest House contests in the country, with Murphy receiving 50.4% of the vote to West’s 49.6%. With all precincts reporting by Wednesday morning, Murphy’s .8-point lead was greater than the .5-point margin that would trigger a recount, but West had not conceded.”
West refuses to concede, citing ‘irregularities’ [AP] “According to an unofficial tally, political newcomer Murphy has a 2,456-vote lead. That margin of about three-quarters of a percentage point is outside the parameters for a state-mandated recount.”
Why Allen West Lost: 16 Of His Worst Moments In Congress [ThinkProgress] “Rep. Allen West (R-FL), one of the most controversial Tea Party freshmen in Congress, lost his bid for re-election Tuesday night.”