Politics & Government
Deely Doesn't Concede, Though House Dems Do
Citing 'too much support for a recount,' Democrat Kevin Deely refuses to concede 131st District race to incumbent Republican Justin Simmons. But Democratic Campaign Committee Chairman Brendan Boyle says 'not enough ballots to win.'
Is the race for the 131st state House seat over?
Depends on who you ask.
Though Lehigh County's vote count shows incumbent Republican Justin Simmons edged out Kevin Deely by 16 votes in Lehigh County, and the Simmons camp says the Northampton County vote count put Simmons ahead by another 432 votes, challenger Kevin Deely won't concede the race anytime soon.
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"It's so close, we just want to make sure every vote is counted. I have so many supporters asking for a recount," said Deely in an exclusive interview. "I'm not conceding the race. There's only a little more than one percentage point [between Deely and Simmons], and the results will come soon enough. In the end, democracy will win."
Deely confirmed his campaign is "strongly considering" a recount.
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A representative of the Simmons campaign released the following statement from the state representative: "Both campaigns had lawyers and representatives present as every vote was counted in Northampton and Lehigh County. The election is over."
According to a report Wednesday on Capitolwire.com, House Democratic Campaign Committee Chair Brendan Boyle agreed with the Simmons camp.
"It doesn't look like there are enough absentee ballots and provisional ballots in that race to win it for Deely," Boyle told Capitolwire.
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